


I 



























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LIFE 

OF 

GEORGE WASHINGTON , 

FIRST PRESIDENT, 

AND 

COMMANDER IN CHIEF 

OF THE 

ARMIES 

or THE 

United States of America; 

INTERSPERSED WITH 

BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES 



MOST EMINENT MEN WHO EFFECTED 
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



BY JOHN v CORRY 



TV applause oflist'ning- senates to command, 
The threats of pain and ruin to despise; 
To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land, 
And read his hi'sfry in a nation's eyes ! 

GltAY 



NEIV-YORK: 

rBINTED AND PUBLISHED BV m'cART.Y & WHITE. 
KG. 36, CEDAR-STREET. 

1809. 






M 



*15 



PREFACE. 



in 



THE following biography is a simple nar- 
rative of facts. The virtues of Washington 
require no adventitious embellishment ; like 
the sun, they are visible by their own lus- 
tre. Yet, if on some occasions, the author 
has been led by enthusiasm to panegyric, 
those effusions of a heart enamoured of virtue 
were involuntary, for he is convinced that 
the achievements of his hero are 

V Above all Greek, above all Roman fame." 

The virtues and errors of the American 
hero, are pourtrayed by the pencil of truth ; 
and it has been the author's study to give an 
impartial history of this eminent character, 
.such as in point of veracity will endure the 
strictest investigation of the reader. 

This work is diversified with several anec- 
dotes of men who were eminent for their ta- 
lents and virtues. Among those, the principal 
hero will be found magnanimous in the most 
discouraging circumstances, and unassuming 
in the moment of victory and exaltation. ) Ic 
will be found during an arduous contest, to 
have behaved with the valour of the warrioi 
and the equanimity of the philosopher, 



*V PREFACE. 

This history is presented to the public eye 
as a detail of the actions of a great man ; and 
though it may not bear the ordeal of criti- 
cism, yet the author feels pleasure in having 
aspired to be the biographer of a Wash- 
ington. 

The elaborate eulogiums which have al- 
ready been lavished on the virtuous Ameri- 
can, though inadequate to his merit, may be 
useful as an Incitement to other public char- 
acters to pursue the path of integrity ; but 
in other respects such praises are superfluous. 

" To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, 

To throw a perfume on the violet, 

To smooth the ice, or add another liua 

Unto the rainbow, or with taper light, 

To seek the beaulious eye of heav'nto garnish, 

Js wasteful and ridiculous excess." 

Skakstcare. 



THE 

LIFE 

OF 

GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



I 



N the history of man, we contemplate with 
particular satisfaction those legislators, he- 
roes, and philosophers, whose wisdom, val- 
our, and virtue, have contributed to the hap- 
piness of the human species. We trace the 
luminous progress of those excellent beings 
with secret complacency y our emulation is 
roused, while we behold them steadily puiv 
sue the path of rectitude in defiance of every 
obstruction ; we rejoice that we are of the 
same species, and thus self-love becomes the 
hand-maid of virtue. 

The authentic pages of biography unite the 
most grateful amusement with instruction. 
Truth supports the dignity of the historic 
muse, who will not admit of either fulsome 



6 THE LIFE OF 

panegyric, or invidious censure. — She des- 
cribes her hero with genuine simplicity $ men- 
tions his frailties, his characteristic peculiari- 
ties, and his shining qualities. In short, she 
gives a faithful and lively portrait of the man, 
investigates the latent motives of his actions, 
and celebrates those virtues which have rais- 
ed him to an enviable pre-eminence above 
h is cotemporaries. 

We sympathize in the sufferings, and par- 
ticipate the triumphs of those illustrious men 
who stand 

" Majestic y mid the monuments of time" 
and the approbation of excellence in others 
naturally leads the mind to imitate the object 
ot its admiration. 

Among those patriots who have a claim to 
our veneration, George Washington appears 
in a conspicuous place in the first rank. The 
ancestors of this extraordinary man, in the 
year 1657, emigrated from England to A- 
merica, and settled in the colony of A irgi- 
Jiia : here, by unremitting industry, they 
became opulent and respectable, and gave 
their name to the parish or Washington, in 
Westmoreland county. 

George Washington, the hero of the fol- 
low ing history, was the fruit of a second mar- 
:, and was born in the settlement of Che- 



WASHINGTON. 7 

tank, in the above-mentioned county, on the 
1 1th of February, 1732. It is to be regret- 
ted, that we have so few documents of his 
education and pursuits during his juvenile 
years ; even the slightest trait of the character 
of a man who was the principal instrument 
in effecting a great revolution, is interesting. 
The extensive settlement ofChotank was 
originally purchased by the Washington fam- 
ily; the extreme fertility of the soil induced 
those settlers to cultivate tobacco in several 
plantations ; for this purpose they purchased 
a number of negro slaves, and consequently 
population was rapidly increased. At the 
time our hero was born, all the planters 
throughout this extensive settlement were his 
relations; hence his youthful years glided a- 
way in all the pleasinggaiety of social friend- 
ship, lie received a private education, but 
it was by no means so limited as a tourist* in- 
sinuates. Indeed the question, whether a 
public or a private education be preferable;, 
has been so ably discussed by the most emi- 
nent writers, that little remains to be said on 
that subject. Mr. Locke observes, that a 
youth " will, perhaps, be more innocent at 
home, but more ignorant of the world, and 
more sheepish when he comes abroad." 

* Vide Smyth's Tour in the United States of America, vol. 
ii page 1-18. 



$ TJTE LIFE OF 

Washington, however, is an illustrious in- 
stance of the superior advantages of a domes- 
tic education. He was initiated in the ele- 
ments of religion, morality, and science, by 
a private tutor; and, from the tenor of his 
actions, it is manifested, that uncommon 
pains were taken to cherish the best propen- 
sities of human nature in his heart. In the 
tenth year of his age he had the misfortune to 
lose an excellent father, who died in 1742,, 
and the patrimonial estate devolved on an el- 
der brother. This young gentleman had 
been an officer in the colonial troops sent in 
the expedition against Carthagena. On his 
return he called the family mansion Mount 
VERNON,in honor of the British admiral, and 
destined his brother George to serve in the 
navy. 

Accordingly, in his fifteenth year, our he- 
ro was entered as a midshipman on board a 
British frigate, stationed on the coast of Vir- 
ginia; he prepared to embark with all the 
alacrity of youth, but his nautical career was 
stopped by the interposition of maternal love. 
Ever obedient to an affectionate mother, 
young Washington relinquished his desire of 
going to sea; the energies of his mind were 
to be exerted on a more stable element. 

He remained at home during four subse- 



WASHINGTON. 9 

quent years, employed in useful and elegant 
studies, with a pleasing alternation of busi- 
ness ; and in the delightful fields and groves 
of Mount Vernon he gradually obtained a 
knowledge of agriculture. Rural avocations 
appear to have been congenial with his dis- 
position, even at this early period of life ; yet 
he afterwards convinced the world, that mar- 
tial ardour often animates the breast of the 
husbandman. 

The first proof that he gave of his propen- 
sity to arms, was in the year 1751, when the 
office of adjutant- general of the Virginia mi- 
litia became vacant by the death of his broth- 
er, and Mount Vernon, together with a large 
estate, came into his possession. At this 
time the extensive boundaries, and increas- 
ing population of the colony, made it expe- 
dient to form the militia corps into three di- 
visions, and Washington, in his twentieth 
year, was appointed major. He attended to 
his duty as an officer, with exemplary pro- 
priety and vigilance; w T as indefatigable in 
the discipline of the troops; and generally 
beloved, both by his brother officers and the 
private men, for his mildness and generosity, 

In the year 1753, the incroachments of the 
French upon the western boundaries of the 
British colonies excited a general alarm in 



10' THE LIFE OF 

Virginia, insomuch that Governor Dinwid- 
die deputed Washington to ascertain the truth 
of those rumours: he was also empowered to 
enter into a treaty with the Indians, and re- 
monstrate with the French on the injustice of 
their proceedings. On his arrival at the back 
settlements he found the colonists in a very 
unpleasant situation from the depredations of 
the Indians, who were incessantly instigated 
by the French to the commission of new ag- 
gressions. He found that the French them- 
selves had also committed several outrages a- 
gainst the defenceless settlers; nay, that they 
had proceeded so far as to establish posts 
within the boundaries of Virginia. Wash- 
ington strongly remonstrated against those 
acts of hostility, and warned the French to 
desist from their incursions. On his return, 
his report to the governor was published, and 
it evinced that he performed this honorable 
mission with superlative prudence. 

It is not improbable that Washington now 
began to entertain a presentiment of his fu- 
ture eminence ; and that, as his faculties ex- 
panded, he felt himself incited to perform 
some patriotic atchievment, that would ren- 
der him estimable in the eyes of his country- 
men, and dear to posterity. 

The repeated inroads of the French and 



WASHINGTON. 1 1 

Indians on the frontiers of Virginia made it 
necessary to increase the military establish- 
ment; and early in the spring of 1754, a new 
regiment was raised, of which professor Fry, 
of the college, was appointed colonel, and 
Washington, lieutenant-colonel. Mr. Fry 
died soon after the regiment was embodied, 
and was succeeded by our hero, who paid 
unremitting attention to the discipline of this 
new corps. He established magazines of 
provisions and ammunition, and opened the 
roads to the frontiers in order to pre-occupy 
an important post at the confluence of the 
Monongahela and Allegany rivers. His re- 
giment was to have been reinforced by a de- 
tachment of regulars from the southern colo- 
nies, and a corps of provincials from North- 
Carolina and Maryland; but impelled by the 
urgency of the occasion, he advanced with- 
out the expected succours, in the Month of 
May. The troops proceeded by forced march- 
es towards the defile, and their command- 
er dispatched two scouts to reconnoitre; but 
though his rapid march was facilitated by the 
fine weather, yet, when he ascended the 
Laurel Hills, fifty miles distant from the place 
of destination, he was met by his scouts, who 
returned with intelligence, that the enemy 
were in possession of the post, and built a 



12 THE LIFE OE 

fcrt, and stationed a large garrison there. 
Washington now held a council of war with 
the other officers ; but while they were delib- 
erating, a detachment of the French came in 
sight, and obliged them to retreat to a savan- 
na called the Great Meadows. 

The fortitude of Washington was put to a 
severe test on this occasion : he retired with 
the troops to an eminence in the savanna, and 
about noon began to erect a small fortifica- 
tion. He called his temporary defence Fort 
Necessity, and encouraged the regiment, both 
by his voice and example, to raise a redoubt, 
on which they planted two field pieces. They 
surrounded the campw T ith an entrenchment, 
in which they toiled with unremitting exer- 
tions during the subsequent night. Thus 
fortified, they prepared to resist the meditat- 
ed attack of the enemy; and about sun-rise, 
on the following morning, were joined by 
Captain M'Kay, with a company of regu- 
lars. The little army now amounted to about 
four hundred men. On the approach of the 
advanced guard of the French, the Ameri- 
cans sallied forth, attacked and defeated them; 
but the main body of the army, amounting 
to fifteen hundred men, compelled them to 
retire to the intrenchment. The camp was 
now closely invested, and the Americans suf- 



WASHINGTON. 13 

re red severely from the grape-shot of the ene- 
my, and the Indian riflemen, Washington, 
however, defended the works with such skill 
and bravery, that the besiegers were unable 
to force the entrenchments. At length after 
a conflict of ten hours, in which one hundred 
and fifty of the Americans were killed and 
wounded, they were obliged to capitulate. 
They were permitted to march out with the 
honours of war, and lay down their arms in 
front of the French lines; but they were af- 
terwards plundered by the hostile Indians, 
during their return to Virginia. 

This defeat excited a strong emotion of sor- 
row in the breasts of their countrymen ; and 
though several persons censured the precipi- 
tance of Washington in this affair, yet the 
general conviction of his integrity prevented 
those murmurs from doing him any injury. 
Indeed, his conduct was liable to censure; 
he ought to have waited for the neetasary re- 
inforcements, a junction with whom would 
probably have crowned his enterprize with 
success. His inexperience and the active ar- 
dour of a youthful mind, may afford some pal- 
liation for his imprudence ; but his rashness in 
this instance was so different from his subse- 
quent prudence, that probably this inauspi- 
cious commencement of his military career, 

E 



14 T#E LIFE OF 

was the origin of the circumspection and vi- 
gilance which afterwards marked his con- 
duct in a successful defensive war. 

Let us for a moment enquire into the cause 
of those unprovoked hostilities of the French 
against the British colonies. As France, for 
many centuries had been the professed rival of 
England, she beheld the rapid prosperity of 
these colonies, and the consequent aggran- 
dizement of the mother country, with envi- 
ous apprehension. The French government 
also made settlements in North America, and 
divided this vast continent into two Provin- 
ces; the northern was called Canada, and the 
southern Louisiana. But as the principal 
part of this territory was comparatively bar- 
ren and uncultivated, the French formed the 
ambitious project of obtaining possession of 
the British settlements by force. For this 
purpose they erected a chain of forts, which 
extended throughout an immense tract of 
country. These fortifications were garrison- 
ed by troops well supplied with military stores ; 
but the vast circumjacent regions were total- 
ly uninhabited, except by hunting parties of 
the wandering Indians. 

The French engaged these savages in their 
interest, by supplying them with arms and 
ammunition, in exchange for rich furs. Thus 



WASHINGTON. 15 

they obtained the alliance of a formidable and 
enterprizing race, who naturally hated the 
British colonists, whom they considered as 
the original invaders of their country. 

In the summer of 1754, the French having 
built several forts within the boundaries of 
the British settlements, an army of veterans 
was sent from France to support those unjus- 
tifiable encroachments. We have alreadv 
mentioned their victory over the troops com- 
manded by Washington, and that they had 
erected a fort at an advantageous post, which 
it had been his determination to secure. They 
named this fortress Du Quesne, in which 
they stationed a strong garrison, well provi- 
ded with military stores. These hostile mea- 
sures on the part of France, excited the in- 
dignation of the English government, and 
orders were issued to make general reprisals 
in Europe and America. 

In the year 17 55, General Braddock was 
sent to America, at the head of two veteran 
regiments from Ireland, to reduce the forts 
on the Ohio. On his arrival, he was joined 
by the independent and provincial corps of 
America : but when the army was ready to 
march against the enemy, the want of wag- 
gons for the conveyance of stores, had almost 
proved an insurmountable obstacle to the ex- 



16 THE LIFE OF - 

pedition. In this emergency, a patriotic A- 
rnerican stepped forward, and removed the 
difficulty; this was the celebrated Benjamin 
Franklin, whose extraordinary talents had 
already contributed to the diffusion of know- 
ledge and happiness. This benign philoso- 
pher exerted his influence so effectually with 
his countrymen, that, in a short time, he col- 
lected one hundred and fifty waggons, which 
proved an ample supply for the army. 

As in consequence of a military regulation, 
" no officer who did not derive his commis- 
sion from the king, could command one who 
did," Washington resigned ; but, strongly- 
attached to a military life, and emulous to 
defend his country with distinguished zoal, 
he voluntarily served under General Brad- 
dock, as an extra aid-de-camp. That gene- 
ral marched against Fort Du Quesne ; but 
soon after he crossed the river Monongahela, 
the van division of his army was attacked by 
an abuscade of French and Indians, and to- 
tally defeated. The thickness of the woods 
prevented both the European and provincial 
troops from being able to defend themselves 
with effect-; they could neither keep their 
ranks, nor charge the enemy with the bayo- 
net, while the Indians; who were expert at 
bush-fighting, and were widely scattered. 



WASHINGTON. 17 

fired at them in all derections, from behind 
trees, where they were concealed from their 
foes, and took a fatal aim. Washington had 
cautioned General Braddock in vain ; his ar- 
dent desire of conquest made him deaf to the 
voice of prudence ; he saw his error when too 
late, and bravely perished in his endeavours 
to save the division from destruction. The 
gallant but unfortunate general had four 
horses shot under him, before he was slain, 
and almost every officer whose duty obliged 
him to be on horseback, was either killed or 
wounded except Washington. Amid the 
carnage, the presence of mind, and abilities 
of our hero, were conspicuous ; he rallied 
the troops, and at the head of a corps of gre- 
nadiers, covered the retreat of the division, 
and secured their passage over the ford of 
Monongahela. Anxious for the preservation 
of the troops, and unmindful of the fatigues 
he had undergone, during a sultry day in Ju- 
ly, in #hieh he had scarcely a moment of 
rest, he hastened to concert measures with 
Colonel Dunbar, who commanded the rear 
division, which had not been engaged. Nei- 
ther the wilderness, through which he wasob- 
liged to pass, the innumerable dangers that 
surrounded him in his progress, nor his ex- 
hausted state, could prevent him from pursu- 



18 THE LIFE OF 

ing the line of his duty. He travelled during 
the night, accompanied by two guides, and 
reached the British camp in safety. Thus 
his perseverance and wisdom saved the resi- 
due of the troops. Colonel Dunbar now as- 
sumed the chief command ; he with consi- 
derable difficulty effected a retreat, but was 
obliged to destroy his baggage, to prevent 
it from falling into the hands of the enemy. 
Washington received the most flattering 
marks of public approbation ; but his best re- 
ward was the consciousness* of his own integ- 
rity. 

Soon after this transaction, the regulation 
of rank, which hadjustly been considered as 
a grievance by the colonial officers, was 
changed in consequence of a spirited remon- 
strance of Washington ; and the governor of 
Virginia rewarded the services of this brave 
officer, by appointing him to the command 
of all the troops of that colony. The natural 
energy of his mind was now called into ac- 
tion ; and his thoughts were continually em- 
ployed in forming new plans for the protec- 
tion of the frontiers. 

We may form some idea of his increasing 
popularity, and the high estimation in which 
he was held by his countrymen, from the fol- 
lowing curious prediction. It was publish- 



WASHINGTON. 19 

ed in the notes of a sermon preached by Sam- 
uel Davies, on the 17th August, 1755, to 
Capt. Overton's independent company of vo- 
lunteers, raised in Hanover county, Virginia. 
" As a remarkable instance of patriotism, 
I may point out to the public that heroic youth, 
Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but 
hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so 
signal a manner, for some important service 
to his country. " What renders this prophecy 
the more worthy of notice, is its having been 
delivered about twenty years prior to the 
commencement of the war, which termina- 
ted in the American Independence. 

In the year 1758, Washington command- 
ed the van brigade of the army under Gen- 
eral Forbes, and distinguished himself by 
the capture of Fort Du Quesne. During 
this successful campaign, he acquired a per* 
feet knowledge of tactics. His frequent 
skirmishes with the French and Indians, in 
the woody regions along the frontiers, taught 
him vigilance and circumspection, and rous- 
ed that spirit of enterprize, which is ever 
ready to seize the crisis that leads to victory. 
The troops under his command were gradu- 
ally inured in that most difficult kind of war- 
fare called bush- fighting, while the activity 
of the French, and ferocity of the Indians, 



20 THE LIFE OF 

were overcome by his superior valour. After 
the enemy had been defeated in several bat- 
tles, and compelled to retreat far beyond the 
colonial boundaries, General Forbes left a 
sufficient garrison in the different forts which 
he had captured along the banks of the Ohio, 
and returned with the army into winter quar- 
ters. 

In the course of this decisive campaign, 
which restored the tranquillity and security of 
the middle colonies, Washington had suffered 
many hardships, which impaired his health. 
He was afflicted with an inveterate pulmona- 
ry complaint, and extremely debilitated, in- 
somuch that in the spring of 1759, he resign- 
ed his commission, and retired to Mount 
Vernon. The Virginia line expressed their 
high sense of his merit, by an affectionate ad- 
dress on this occasion ; and his answer was 
marked with that modesty and magnanimity, 
which were the most prominent traits of his 
mind. 

By a due attention to regimen, in the quiet 
and salubrious bowers of Mount Vernon, he 
gradually recovered from his indisposition. 
But as during the tedious period of his con- 
valescence, the British arms had been victori- 
ous, his country had no further occasion for 
the exertion of his military talents. In the 



WASHING TDK. 21 

year 1761, love invaded his retirement. The 
object of his choice was an amiable young 
widow, whose maiden name was Dandridge. 
She was descended from a reputable family, 
and two of her brothers were officers in the 
British navy. This lady was the widow of 
Colonel Custis, who had left her sole execu- 
trix to his extensive possessions, and guardian 
to his two children. The union of Washing- 
ton with this accomplished woman*, was pro- 
ductive of their mutual felicity ; and as he in- 
cessantly pursue.; agricultural improvements, 
he embellished and enriched the fertile fields 
around Mount Vernon. Meanwhile he was 
appointed a magistrate, a member of the as- 
sembly of that state, and a judge of the court. 
These honourable avocations kept the powers . 
of his mind in a state of activity ; he attended 
to his civil duties with exemplary propriety $ 
and gave a convincing proof, that the sim- 
plicity of the farmer is homogenea] with the 
more dignified views of the senator. 

But the moment approached, in which 
Washington was to relinquish those honour- 
able civil avocations, and one of the most re- 
markable events recorded in history, obliged 
him to act a conspicuous part on the great 
theatre of the world. The American revo- 

* Mrs. Washington was born in the year 17 32. 



*22 THE LIFE OF 

lution originated in the errors of a few British 
politicians, and the joint exertions of a num- 
ber of public spirited men among the colo- 
nists, who incited their countrymen to re- 
sist parliamentary taxation. A more re- 
mote and obscure cause, however, contri- 
buted to rear the edifice of this new republic. 
In order to trace this secret spring of action 
to its source, it will be necessary to take a 
cursory retrospective view of the coloniza- 
tion, improvement and state of North Amer- 
ica, previous to the commencement of hos- 
tilities with Great Britain. 

The first emigrants from England to North 
America, especially those who settled in 
New-England, had left their native country 
to avoid persecution. Supported by enthusi- 
asm, they relinquished all the endearing de- 
lights and comrorts of society, and braved 
every hardship incident to a worse climate, 
an uncultivated soil, hunger, and the ex- 
tremes of heat and cold. Besides these mi- 
series, they had the sanguinary ferocity of 
the ancient inhabitants to contend with. — 
Their perseverance and fortitude surmount- 
ed those numerous obstacles, and they esta- 
blished themselves in a countrv where they 
enjoyed that political and religious libertv so 
dear to them, and which had been violated 



WASHINGTON. 23 

in their native country, by the tyranny of the 
house of Stuart. 

The principles that animated the first emi- 
grants from Great Britain had been carefully 
transmitted to their posterity, who, though 
they had d.vested themselves of their religious 
enthusiasm, yet their ardent zeal for repub- 
licanism remained in full vigour. 

The mother country in planting her colo- 
nies in North America, had endowed them 
with every privilege employed by her sub- 
jects at home. She left them at full liberty 
to govern themselves by whatever laws the 
wisdom of their own provincial assemblies 
might think expedient; and she empowered 
them to pursue their respective interests, but 
claimed the exclusive benefit of their trade 
and their allegiance to the same sovereign. 
_ The Americans on the other hand, cher- 
ished the most tender veneration for the mo- 
ther country; the name of an Englishman 
gave them an idea of every thing that was 
great and estimable in human nature, and 
they considered the rest of mankind as bar- 
barous, compared with the people from whom 
they were descended. The colonists had of- 
ten experienced the protection of Britons, 
and witnessed their valour with admiration • 
as the contest with France had beenbe^un 



24 THE LIFE OF 

on their account, they considered themselves 
bound to assist their protectors with unre- 
mitting ardour. . We have already mention- 
ed their determined and successful co-opera- 
tion with the British army ; and it is worthy 
of observation, that their commerce, agricul- 
ture, and population, continued to increase, 
though surrounded by the evils of war. 

By a succession of the most brilliant vic- 
tories by sea and land, Great Britain effec- 
tually subdued the united powers of France 
and Spain, and acquired possession of a vast 
extent of territory in both the Indies. The 
peace of Paris in 1763, terminated a war 
which exalted Great Britain to the zenith of 
military glory ; by this treaty she remained 
sole mistress of North America, and her co- 
lonies were relieved from the fears of their 
ambitious French neighbours. 

The termination of hostilities was a most 
joyful event to the British colonies. From 
their enterprizing disposition, especially those 
of New England, they were continually en- 
gaged in new projects. They had carried 
their trade to almost every port in the Ameri- 
can hemisphere, and were indefatigable in 
agricultural improvements. Among other 
things they had been particularly attentive to 
the education of youth. Their polity was re- 



WASHINGTON. 25 

gulated with the greatest propriety and pru- 
dence ; they were blest with the necessaries 
of life in abundance, and being unacquaint- 
ed with the luxurious refinements Gf more 
polished communities, their undepraved 
minds were alive to the moral duties that 
constitute the strength and the happiness of 
society. On the auspicious return of peace, 
the American farmer looked forward with 
hope to the security and future prosperity of 
Jbis children ; the mechanic was certain of 
encouragement in a rising nation ; and the 
merchant was incited to enterprize by the 
prospect of successful commerce. 

Such was the state of the British colonies 
at the conclusion of a war, in which they had 
been more than conquerors. Indeed the 
cession of Canada had placed them in a state 
of perfect security from the French ; and the 
Indians were too contemptible an enemy to 
excite much apprehension. 

The colonies had for ages been accustom- 
ed to look to the mother country for aid 
against the French, from a consciousness of 
their inability to cont< nd alone against that 
powerful nation. Protection on the one side 
naturally implies obedience on the other; and 
her colonies would have continued to view 
Great Britain with an eye of filial reverence, 
c 



26 THE LIFE OF 

while the menaces of an ambitious neigh- 
bour kept them in awe. But when the ces- 
sion of the French territory in America to 
the British crown removed a formidable and 
ambitious rival from the western hemisphere, 
the colonies began to view their situation in 
another light, and to cherish ideas of their 
future greatness. 

Soon after the aforementioned pacification, 
the French ministry, jealous of the grandeur 
of Britain, and conscious of their inability to 
lessen it by force, sent emissaries to North 
America, to disseminate discontent among 
the colonists, and thus effect a separation. — 
By the disunion of these colonies, which were 
one great source of wealth and aggrandize- 
ment of her rival in arts and arms, France 
hoped to regain the ascendancy which she 
had formerly assumed in the politics of Eu- 
rope. Her machinations were successful in 
America ; a spirit of disaffection to the mo- 
ther country was gradually diffused through- 
out the colonies, and they began to investi- 
gate those prerogatives which had been so 
long exercised over them by the British go- 
vernment. 

The national debt of Great Britain had 
been much encreased by the late war, a mul- 
titude of new taxes were levied at home, and 



WASHINGTON. 2? 

as the war had originated on account of the 
colonies, and they had derived the principal 
advantages from the peace, it was thought 
equitable that they should contribute to the 



common exigencies. 



In March, 1764, a bill was passed in the 
British Parliament, laying heavy duties on 
all articles imported into the colonies from 
the French, and other islands in the West- 
Indies, and ordering these duties to be paid 
in specie into the exchequer of Great Britain. 
In the same session another bill was formed, 
to restrain the currency of paper money in 
the colonies. 

These acts excited the surprize and dis- 
pleasure of the North Americans. They 
sent warm and energetic remonstrances to 
the mother country, and laid every argument 
before the ministry, that ingenuity could sug- 
gest, but in vain. As they had hitherto fur- 
nished their contingent in men and money, 
by the authority of their representatives in 
the colonial assemblies, they asserted, that 
not beings represented in the British Parlia- 
ment, it could have no right to tax them. — 
Finding, however, that all their arguments 
were ineffectual to remove their grievances, 
they formed associations to prevent the use 
of British manufactures, till they should ob- 
tain redress. 



28 THE LIFE OF 

The animosity of the colonists was farther 
increased, by the advice which they receiv- 
ed, that the British ministry had it in con- 
templation to establish stamp duties in Amer- 
ica, similar to those in Great Britain. In 
the spring of 1765, the stamp act, after a vio- 
lent opposition in parliament, was passed ; 
and the following description of its reception 
in America, is given by an impartial histo- 
rian.* 

" This famous act has justly been consid- 
ered as the prelude and occasion of all the 
subsequent storms that raged not only in 
North America, but extended their horrors 
to almost every other quarter of both hemis- 
pheres. 

" Its arrival in America threw immediate- 
ly the whole continent into flames. Boston, 
the capital of New England, where the news 
first arrived, expressed its resentment in a 
manner perfectly suitable to the violent spir- 
it with which its inhabitants have always op- 
posed whatever they have deemed injustice 
and oppression. The colours of the shipping 
of the harbour were hoisted half mast, the 
bells of the churches were muffled, and tolled 
a funeral peal ; the act was printed with a 
death's head affixed to it, in lieu of the king's 
* Vide Andrew's History of the late War, yoK 1, p. 4 1 . 



WASHINGTON. 29 

arms ; it was cried about the streets, and stif- 
led "The folly of England, and the ruin of 
America. 

" Emblems of the most hostile significa- 
tion were at the same time adopted by sun- 
dry newspapers : one of them in particular, 
exhibited the figure of a snake, cut in thir- 
teen pieces, each one inscribed with the 
name of some colony. The motto above 
them was, " Join or die !" 

" Ships that arrived with stamped papers 
on board were obliged to deliver them up 
into the custody of persons appointed to pre- 
vent their being used ; or to enter into an 
engagement that they would not land them, 
The only places were they could be effectu- 
ally protected from the fury and insolence of 
the multitude, were men of war and garri- 
sons. 

" The persons who were commissioned to 
distribute these papers, were all, without ex- 
ception, compelled to resign their office, and 
solemnly promise never to resume it. 

" Bat their chief resentment was directed 
against such of their own countrymen as si- 
ded with government, and were active in as- 
serting its authority. They plundered their 
houses, destroyed their property, and used 
their persons with the greatest indignity, 
C 2 



30 THE LIFE OF 

" While these outrages were perpetrated 
by the lower classes, the better sort did not 
interfere in the least to prevent them. They 
saw, with secret pleasure, how well they 
would be supported in the determination 
they had formed to resist the designs of Great 
Britain. Some of them did not scruple to 
signify, in a public manner, that they would 
pay no taxes but such as were laid upon them 
by the legislature of their respective provinces, 

" The assemblies themselves connived, in 
fact, at these tumultuous proceedings. They 
soon proceeded farther ; and from silent spec- 
tators, became the principal actors in the 
more interesting and important scenes that 
succeeded to these popular commotions. " 

The General Assembly of Virginia was 
the first that openly and formally declared a- 
gainst the right of Britain to lay taxes on A- 
merica. Of this assembly, Washington was 
a member; he most zealously opposed what 
he considered an encroachment on the liber- 
ties of his countrymen : and the example of 
this legislative body was followed by those of 
the other colonies. 

In June, 1765, the Assembly of Massa- 
chusetts, from a conviction of the expediency 
of a continental Congress, passed a resolution 
in favour of that measure, and sent circular 



WASHINGTON. 51' 

letters to the several assemblies, requesting 
their concurrence. 

Accordingly a deputation from ten of the 
colonies met at New- York ; and this was the 
first Congress held in North America. 

In consequence of a petition from this Con- 
gress to the King and both Houses of Parlia- 
ment, the stamp act was repealed, to the uni- 
versal joy of the colonists, and the general 
satisfaction of the English, whose manufac- 
tures had suffered a considerable depression 
in consequence of the American associations 
against their importation. 

But the Parliament, by repealing this ob- 
noxious act, did not relinquish the idea of 
their right to tax the colonies, and the bill for 
laying a duty on tea, paper, and painters' co- 
lours, and glass, was passed, and sent to A- 
merica in 1768. This act occasioned new 
discontents in the colonies, especially at Bos- 
ton ; and though Parliament thought proper, 
in 1770, to take off those duties, except three 
pence a pound on tea: yet even this trifling 
impost kept alive the jealousy of the colonists, 
who denied the supremacy of the British le- 
gislature. The troops quartered in Boston 
was another cause of offence to the inhabi- 
tants, and on all occasions they manifested 
an inclination to quarrel with men whom 
they considered inimical to their liberties. 



32 THE LIFE OF 

In the beginning of March, 1770, a quar- 
rel happened in Boston between a private of 
the 29th regiment and one of the townsmen -, 
and a few days afterwards a more fatal dis- 
pute occurred. The soldiers, when on pa- 
rade, were insulted by a mob, who pelted 
them with snow-balls; at the same time they 
were dared to fire. Exasperated by such 
treatment, six of the military fired upon the 
populace, by which three persons were kil- 
led, and five dangerously wounded. The 
town was immediately in commotion, and 
nothing but the timely removal of the troops, 
and the expostulations of moderate men, pre- 
vented the people from proceeding to open 
hostilities. The whole province of Massa- 
chusetts rose in arms, and the soldiers were 
obliged to retire to Castle William for protec- 
tion. 

By a series of concurrent circumstances, 
the flame of discontent was revived in the 
province of Massachusetts, after it had visi- 
bly abated in the other provinces. The ani- 
mosity of the people of that colony against 
their Governor, Mr. Hutchinson, was in- 
creased by the accidental discovery, that he 
had written letters to people in power in 
England, which contained a misrepresenta- 
tion of the state of public affairs, and recom- 



WASHINGTON. 3S 

mended coercive measures in order to secure 
the obedience of the province. These let- 
ters fell into the hands ot Dr. Franklin, agent 
of the province, who transmitted thein to 
Boston. The House of Assembly passed" a 
petition to his Majesty, by a large majority, 
in which they declared their Governor and 
Lieutenant-Governor enemies to the Colo- 
nies, and prayed for their dismission from of- 
fice. This petition was not only rejected, 
but declared to be groundless and scandalous. 

About this time, Dr. Franklin was dismis- 
sed from the office of deputy post-master- 
gcneralof America, which he held under the 
crown. But it was not merely by his trans- 
mission of the letters above mentioned, that 
he bad offended the British ministry ; he had 
written two pieces in favour of America, 
which excited public attention en both sides 
of the Atlantic. The one was entitled, " An 
edict from the king of Prussia for taxing the 
inhabitants of Great Britain, as descendants 
of emigrants from his dominions ;" and the 
other, " Rules for reducing a great empire 
to a small one." These essays were both 
written with his peculiar simplicity of style, 
and abounded with the most poignant satire. 

The disputes between Great Britain and 
her colonies had now existed above ten years, 



84 THE LIFE OP 

with intervals of tranquillity. The reservation 
of the duty on tea, the stationing a standing 
army in Massachusetts, the continuance of a 
board of commissioners in Boston, and the ap- 
pointing the governor and judges of the pro- 
vince, independent of the people, were the 
causes of that irritation which pervaded all 
ranks of the community. 

In the year 1773, the American contro- 
versy was recommenced, in consequence of 
tea being sent to the colonies by the East In- 
dia Company. The Americans now per- 
ceived that the tax was likely to be enforced, 
and were determined to oppose the revenue 
system of the British Parliament. They con- 
sidered this attempt of the East India Com- 
pany as an indirect mode of taxation, and 
took measures to prevent the landing of the 
teas. One universal spirit of opposition ani- 
mated the colonists from New Hampshire to 
Georgia. The province of Massachusetts 
distinguished itself by the most violent and 
decisive proceedings. Three ships from 
England, laden with tea, lav in the harbour 
of Boston ; and the townsmen resolved to 
destroy it, rather than suffer it to be landed — ! 
For this purpose, a number of men, disguised 
like Indians, on the 18th December, 773, 
entered the ships, and threw overboard three 



WASHINGTON, 35 

hundred and forty-two chests of tea, bein<* 
the whole of their cargoes. 

The ministry now resolved to enforce their 
authority, and as Boston had been the princi- 
pal scene of outrage, it was determined to 
punish that town in an exemplary manner. 
On the 25th March, 1774, an act was passed, 
called the Boston Port Bill, " to discontinue 
the landing, and discharging, lading and 
shipping of goods, wares and merchaudizes, 
at the town of Boston, or within the har- 
bour." 

The news of this bill was was received by 
the Bostonians with the most extravagant to- 
kens of resentment ; and during the ferment, 
their new Governor, Gen. Gage, arrived 
from England. This gentleman had been 
appointed on account of his being an officer 
of reputation, and a man esteemed by the 
Americans, among whom he had resided ma- 
ny years. The first official act of his govern- 
ment was the removal of the Assembly to 
Salem, a town seventeen miles distant. 

Virginia again took the lead in a public 
avowal of its sentiments. The first day of 
June had been appointed for the Boston 
Port Act to take place, and on that day the 
General Assembly or Virginia enjoined a 
public supplication to Heaven. The style of 



5-6 THE LIFE OF 

this injunction was remarkable: the people 
were directed to " beseech the Deity to give 
them one heart and one mind, firmly to op 
pose every invasion of the American rights." 
The Assembly of Virginia also recommend- 
ed to the colonies to appoint a Congress of 
Delegates to deliberate on the critical state 
of their affairs. 

Meanwhile the Bostonians were not inac- 
tive. They framed an agreement, which 
they called a solemn league and covenant, by 
which the subscribers engaged, in the most 
religious manner, " to discontinue all com- 
m rcial intercourse with Great Britain, after 
the expiration of the month of August, till 
the late obnoxious acts were repealed, and 
the colony re-possessed of its charter." Re- 
solutions of a similar nature were entered into 
by the other provinces; and when General 
Gage attempted to counteract the covenant by 
a proclamation, the Americans retorted, by 
insisting that the law allowed subjects to as- 
sociate in order to obtain redress for their 
grievances. 

In the month of Scptc mber, 1771, the gen- 
era: Congress of all the colonies met at Phil- 
adelphia. That bod) consisted of fifty-one 
d •! :gates, ( ' o.en by the representatives of 
each province. 



I 



WASHINGTON. 37 

The first act of the continental Congress 
was their approbation of the conduct of the 
Bostonians, and an exhortation to them to 
persevere in their opposition to government, 
till the restoration of their charter. They 
avowed their allegiance to his Majesty, and 
drew up a petition, in which they entreated 
him to grant them peace, liberty, and safety. 
After several resolutions, tending to recom- 
mend unanimity to the provinces, and after 
having resolved that another Congress should 
meet in Philadelphia on the 10th of May fol- 
lowing, if their grievances should not be re- 
dressed, they recommended to the people the 
speedy nomination of new delegates, and 
then separated. 

Meanwhile a reinforcement of British 
troops arrived in Boston, which increased the 
general dissatisfaction to such a degree, that 
the people were ready to rise at a moment's 
warning. The colonists now began serious- 
ly to prepare for war ; they embodied and 
trained their militia; and, to render them- 
selves independent of foreigners for the sup- 
ply of military stores, they erected mills and 
manufactories for gun-powder, both in Phil- 
adelphia and Virginia. 

These hostile preparations induced Gen- 
eral Gage to fortify the neck of land which 



38 THE LIFE OF 

joins the town of Boston to the continent. — 
But though this measure of security was jus- 
tifiable on the principle of self-defence, the 
Americans remonstrated against it with the 
greatest vehemence. Instead of paying any 
attention to these invectives, the General 
seized the provincial ammunition and mili- 
tary stores at Cambridge and Charlestown. 
This act of hostility excited the popular rage 
to such a degree, that it was with the utmost 
difficulty the inhabitants of Massachusetts 
could be restrained from marching to Bos- 
ton to attack the troops. 

From these hostile dispositions it was evi* 
dent, that the ensuing spring would be the 
commencement of a war, of which even the 
most resolute dreaded the consequences. The 
utmost diligence, however, was used by the 
colonists to be provided against any attack of 
the British army. A list of the men able to 
bear arms was made out in each province, and 
the Assemblies were animated with the most 
lively hopes on finding that two-thirds of the 
men who had served in the former war were 
.alive, and zealous in the cause. 

Washington was among the most active in 
raising troops. His well known intrepidity 
and generosity obtained him a numerous 
-corps of volunteers - r he was appointed their 



WASHINGTON. 39 

commander, and soon perfected their disci- 
pline. The following is the account given 
by a man of veracity, who was both an eye- 
witness and an enemy :* " It was at Alex- 
andria where George Washington first step* 
ped forth as the public patron and leader of 
sedition and revolt, having subscribed fifty 
pounds to these purposes, when others sub- 
scribed only five, and having accepted the 
command of the first company of armed as- 
sociators against the British government, 
which he had clothed in his old uniform of 
the Virginia regiment last w r af, viz. blue and 
buff, a dress he has continued to wear until 
this time ; and being likewise the first en- 
courager of sedition from the British army, by 
publicly abetting and advising it, and pro- 
moting a large subscription to Johnson, a 
deserter from the fourteenth regiment, for the 
purpose of teaching the inhabitants tactics 
and military exercises." Washington had 
also been elected a delegate from Virginia 
to the General Congress, and exerted all hh 
influence to encourage a decisive opposition 
to Parliamentary taxation. 

The awful moment now approached which 
was to involve Great Britain and her colonies 

* Vide Smyth's Tour in the United States of Amer- 
ica, vol. ii. p. 204 — 5. 



4:0 THE LIFE Ol- • 

in all the horrors of a civil war. In Febru- 
ary, 1775, the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
chusetts met at Cambridge. Several milita- 
ry institutions for the protection of the pro- 
vince were enacted. Among the most re- 
markable of which was the minute-men. A 
number of the most active and expert of the 
New England militia were selected, who 
were obliged.to hold themselves in readiness 
to obey the first summons of their officers; 
and indeed their subsequent vigilance and in- 
trepidity fully entitled them to the above- 
mentioned appellation. 

A regular correspondence was now settled 
between Congress and the provincial meet- 
ings, by which the motions of all the colonies 
were directed. 

General Cage having been informed that 
a large quantity of military stores were col- 
lected at Concord, about twenty miles from 
Boston, he sent a detachment to that place to 
destroy, them. The troops had orders to 
seize Messrs. Hancock and Adams, the tw T o 
leading men of the Provincial Congress, 
which was then sitting at Concord. On the 
1 9th of April, 1775, the detachment march- 
ed from Boston early in the morning. They 
proceeded with the utmost silence, and secu- 
red every person they met, to prevent the 



WASHINGTON. 41 

country from being alarmed ; but notwith- 
standing these precautions, they soon found, 
by the continual firing of guns and ringing of 
bells, that they were discovered by the min- 
ute-men. About five o'clock they arrived at 
Lexington, fifteen miles distant from Boston. 
The militia were exercising on a green near 
the town. Major Pitcairn, who was at the 
head of the British detachment, called out, 
" Disperse, you rebels ; throw down your 
arms and disperse. "" They still continued in 
a body, on which he commanded the regu- 
lars to fire, and they discharged a volley, by 
which several of the Americans were killed 
and wounded. The troops then proceeded 
to Concord, where they destroyed the stores, 
and engaged in a skirmish with the pro- 
vincials, in which a number were killed on 
both sides. In the retreat of the British 
troops from Concord to Lexington, a space 
of six miles, they were pursued with the ut- 
most fury by the Americans, who fired at 
them from behind stone walls, high enough 
to cover them from the fire of men, who 
were marching with the greatest expedition. 
At Lexington, the British were joined by a 
detachment under Lord Percy, with two 
field pieces. As the cannon were managed 
with the greatest skill and activity, they re- 
D 2 



42 THE LIFE OF 

pressed the ardour of the Americans, other- 
wise the regulars would have been entire- 
ly cut to pieces, or made prisoners. They ef- 
fected their retreat to Boston, with the loss 
oftwo hundred and fifty killed and wound- 
ed ; the loss of the provincials was about 
forty. 

This victory animated the courage of the 
Americans to the highest degree, insomuch 
that in a few days they assembled an army of 
twenty thousand men. This formidable body 
of troops were joined by a corps from Con- 
necticut, under General Putnam, a veteran 
officer. The Americans now completely 
blockaded the town of Boston, which, how- 
ever, was so strongly fortified by Gen. Gage, 
that they did not venture to attack it. 

Meanwhile Congress met at Philadelphia, 
on the 10th of May, 1775, and a few days 
afterwards, when their venerable President, 
Peyton Randolph, resigned, John Hancock 
was unanimously elected his successor. This 
gentleman had eminently signalized himself 
in his country's cause, and had expended the 
principal part of his fortune in its support. — 
He had been Colonel of the company of ca- 
dets in Boston, and when deprived of his 
commission by General Gage, the corps in 
disgust disbanded themselves. "The provin- 



WASHINGTON. 43 

cial Assembly of Massachusetts had appoint- 
ed him President; and afterwards, when he 
was proscribed by a proclamation issued at 
Boston in the month of June, the General 
Congress, in order to shew the world that 
they were not to be intimidated by menaces, 
immediately conferred on him the highest 
honor which it was in their power to bestow, 
by appointing him President. 

Towards the close of May, reinforcements 
of British troops arrived at Boston, under the 
command of Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and 
Clinton, officers of reputation. The town of 
Boston stands on a peninsula, divided from 
Charlestown by a river between three quar- 
ters of a mile and a mile wide. Eastward of 
Charlestown there is an eminence called 
Bunker's Hill, which commands the whole 
town of Boston. A party of provincials took 
possession of this hill in the night of the 16th 
ofSune, and worked with such diligence and 
silence, that before the dawn they had near- 
ly completed a redoubt and strong entrench- 
ment, which extended half a mile. When 
they were discovered by the British troops, 
they were plied with an incessant cannonade 
from the ships and floating batteries, besides 
the cannon that could reach the place from 
Boston. The provincials, however, contin- 



44 THE LIFE OF 

bed their work, which they completed about 
noon, when a considerable body of infantry 
was landed at the foot of Bunker's Hill, un- 
der the command of General Howe and 
G< neral Pigot. The first was to attack the 
provincial lines, the second the redoubt. The 
British troops ascended the hill with the 
greatest inntrepidiy : but on their approach 
to the entrenchments of the enemy, they 
were received with a fire that poured down 
a full half hour upon them like & torrent. — 
The execution it did was terrible, insomuch 
that some of the oldest officers dec hired it 
was the hottest service they had ever seen 5 
General Howe, whose fortitude was remark- 
able on this trying occasion, stood for a few 
moments almost alone, the greatest part of 
his officers and soldiers being either killed or 
wounded. Meanwhile, General Pigot was 
engaged with the provincials on the left, 
where he met so warm a reception, that his 
troops were thrown into disorder ; but Gen. 
Clinton coming up with a reinforcement, 
they quickly rallied, ahd attacked the works 
with such fury, that the Americans were 
driven beyond the neck that leads to Charles- 
town. The British troops having been an- 
noyed by the fire of the enemy from the hou- 
ses of this town, they set it on fire, and con- 
sumed it to ashes. 



WASHINGTON. 4'3 

In this engagement, the carnage was 
greater in proportion to the number of troops', 
than in any other during the war. The loss 
of the British army amounted, in killed and 
wounded, to upwards of a thousand, includ- 
ing eighty-nine officers; but the Americans, 
according to their own account, lost only five 
hundred men. This disparity of numbers 
may be accounted for by the provincials hav- 
ing fought behind entrenchments, winch 
sheltered them from the cannon of the ene- 
my, and where their marksmen could take 
aim with precision. 

The British troops justly claimed this dear- 
bought victory. On the American side, the 
Joss most regretted was General Warren.* 
This gentleman was a physician, and had 

* A Monument has been raised at Charlestown, to pcrpetu^ 
ate the fame of those Americans who bled at Bunker's Hjli — 
It is twenty-eight feet high, of which a Tuscan column forms 
en feet, a-ul its square brick pedestal ten feet. On the top 
of the column is a gilt urn, inscribed '* I. VV. aeed 35," entwin- 
ed in Masonic emblems. The inscription on the south side of 
the pedestal is as follows : 

Bfcccted, A. I). 1794, 
By King Solomon's Lod$e of Free Masons ; 
Constituted in Cliailestown, 1783, 
In memory of 
Major-General Joseph Wauren, 
Ar.d his Associates, 
Who were slain on tins memorable spot, 
June 17th, 1775. 
* : None but they who set a just value on the blessings of Li- 
berty, are worthy to enjoy her. In vain we toiled ; in vain we 
fought ; we bled in vain; if you, our offspring, want valour to 
repel the assaults of her invaders." 

Charleston-!! settled, 1528— Burnt, 1775— Rebuilt 1776. 



46 THE LIFE OF 

rendered himself conspicuous by his elo- 
quence; he had been one of the most active 
members of the Continental Congress in the 
preceding year, and was at this time Presi- 
dent of the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
chusetts. He commanded the lines of Bun- 
ker^ Hill on that memorable day, and took 
his station in the redoubt facing Gen. Pigot. 
While in the act of pointing to, and remind- 
ing his men of the motto, " An Appeal to 
Heaven" inscribed on their colours planted 
on the entrenchments, he received a mortal 
wound, and his death hastened the defeat of 
the American army. 

Warren was extolled by his countrymen 
as the Hamden of the day ; and the follow- 
ing encomium of him was published at Phi- 
ladelphia : 

" He is not dead ; so excellent a citizen, 
so worthy a man, can never die. His me- 
mory will be everlastingly present, everlast- 
ingly dear to all men of principle- — to all 
lovers of their country. In the short period 
of thirty-five years of life, he displayed the 
abilities of a statesman, the qualifications of 
a senator, the soul of a hero ! All you that 
are interested in the cause for which he bled, 
approach his bleeding remains, wash his 
honourable wounds with your tears, and from 



WASHINGTON. 47 

the contemplation of his lifeless body, hasten 
to your homes, and there teach your children 
.to detest the deeds of tyranny ; Jay before 
them the horrid scene you have beheld ; let 
their hair stand on end ; let their eyes spar- 
kle with fire ; let resentment kindle every 
feature , let their lips vent threats and indig- 
nation ; then—then— put arms into their 
hands, send them to battle, and let your last 
injunction be, to return victorious, or to die 
like Warren." 

Such were the means employed to animate 
the Americans in their contest with the pa- 
rent state ; and indeed a more illustrious ex- 
ample of patriotism than Warren, could not 
have been held up to them for imitation.— 
He had sacrificed his ease and the endearing 
ties of social tranquillity; he had, in short, 
devoted himself to the cause of his countrv, 
and fell respected even by his enemies. 

" Let laurels, dreneh'd in pure Parnassian dews, 
Reward his mem'ry, dear to every muse, 
Who with a courage of unshaken root, 
In honour's field advancing his firm foot, 
Plants it upon the line that justice draws, 
Resolv'd to die, or triumph in her cause;" 

After the battle of Bunker's HilttliTpro- 
vmciais erected fortifications on a height op- 
posite Charlestown ; their activity and bold- 
ness astonished the British officers, who had 



48 THE LIFE OF 

considered them as a contemptible enemy. — 
The garrison of Boston w ere soon reduced to 
extreme distress, lor want of provisions, and 
their necessities obliged them to attempt 
to carry off the remaining cattle from the 
islands before the town, which produced fre- 
quent skirmishes; but the provincials being 
better acquainted with the navigation of the 
bay, not only prevented them from obtaining 
supplies from those islands, but destroyed or 
carried off whatever could be of any use. — 
Meanwhile to remedy the distress both of 
the garrison and shipping, armed vessels 
were- sent out, that made prizes indiscrimi- 
nately, of all the coasting vessels laden with 
necessaries, that came in their way. 

During these transactions at Boston, Con- 
gress continued to act with all the vigour 
which its constituents had expected. They 
resolved onthe establishment of an army, and 
a large paper currency , for its support; and 
they nominated a General to the supreme 
command of the provincial forces. 

Washington] who was a delegate from 
Virginia, was by their unanimous vote ap- 
pointed to that important post, and his subse- 
quent conduct she wed him every way worthy 
of their confidence. They also \ored him 
as ample a salary as was in their power to 



WASHINGTON. 4# 

bestow, but he generously declined all pecu- 
niary emoluments. His reply to the Presi- 
dent of Congress, on his nomination to the 
supreme command of the army, was in the 
following words : 
"Mr. President, 

" Though I am truly sensible of the high 
honour done me in this appointment, yet I 
feel great distress, from a consciousness that 
my abilities and military experience may not 
be equal to the extensive .and important-trust ; 
however, as the Congress desire it, I will cu- 
ter upon the momentous duty, exert every 
power I possess in their service, and for sup- 
port of the glorious cause. I beg they will 
accept my most cordial thanks for this dis- 
tinguished testimony of their approbation. 

M But, lest some unlucky event should hap- 
pen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it 
may be remembered by every gentleman in 
the room, that I this day declare with the 
utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal 
to the command I am honoured with. 

" As to my pay, sir, I beg leave to assure 
the Congress, that as no pecuniary consider- 
ation could have tempted me to accept this 
arduous employment, at the expenee of my 
domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish 
to make any profit from it. I will keep an 

E 



50 THE LIFE OF 

act account of my expences; those, I 
doubt not, they will discharge, and tills is all 
I de.ire." 

This speech is a proof of that disinterested- 
ness and modesty, which were the distin- 
guished characteristics of Washington 'smind. 
in private life he was affable, hospitable, and 
friendly. These social virtues, together with 
his tried valour, made him truly estimable in 
the eyes of his countrymen. His election to 
the supreme command was accompanied by 
no competition : every member ot Congress, 
especially those of New-England, were con- 
vinced of his integrity, and chose him as the 
man best qualified to raise their expectations 
and fix their confidence. 
* The appointment of Washington was at- 
tended with other promotions, namely, four 
major-generals, one adjutant-general, and 
eight brigadier-generals. 

On the day following, a special commission 
was presented to Washington, by Congress. 
At the same time they resolved unanimously, 
in a full meeting, " That they would main- 
tain and assist him, and adhere to him with 
their lives and fortunes, in the cause of Amer- 
ican liberty." In their instructions, they au- 
thorized him M to order and dispose of the 
army under his command as might be most 



WASHINGTON. j( 

advantageous for obtaining the end for which 
it had been raised, making it his special care 
in discharge of the great trust committed to 
him, that the liberties of America receive no 
detriment." 

Washington's diffidence on the acceptance 
of his commission was extremely natural.- — 
His comprehensive mind anticipated the nu- 
merous difficulties which must attend his 
employment 5 and he would gladly have pre- 
ferred the pleasures of a rural life to all the 
" pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious 
war." 

His taking the command of the American 
army was, 'herefore, a strong exertion of self- 
denial to an unambitious man, who enjoyed 
all the real blessings of life in the bosom of 
independence. Let us for a moment turn 
our attention to his private affairs, and we will 
behold him blest with the rational pleasures 
of a philosophic retirement, with his table 
overspread with plenty, and his pillow 
smoothed by the hand of conjugal love. — ■ 
Could man desire more? Was not this the 
summit of human happiness? But now, 
when the voice of his country demands his 
aid, he takes the field in her defence with 
filial attachment. 

Yet the most virtuous line of conduct is 



512 THE LIFE OF 

liable to misrepresentation ; the benign and 
magnanimous asserter of American freedom 
is thus aspersed by a tourist,* who must have 
laboured under the malignant influence of 
prejudice. 

" Mr. Washington has become somewhat 
distinguished for being at the head of an in- 
active, timid army, which never performed a 
gallant exploit, yet they have succeeded in 
their pursuits beyond even their most san- 
guine expectations. 

" The command of the American army 
was offered to him for two reasons ; first, be- 
cause he was the only public man then 
known, cither calculated to command, or 
proper to be entrusted therewith ; and the 
next reason was, because thereby they secur- 
ed the attachment of the whole colony of 
Virginia, the most extensive, the richest, and 
the most powerful of all the provinces. 

*' Mr. Washington has uniformly cherish- 
ed, and steadfastly pursued, an apparently 
mild, steady, but aspiring line of conduct, 
and views of the highest ambition, under the 
most specious and effectual of all cloaks, that 
of moderation, which he has invariably ap- 
peared to profess. This has been evinced by 

• Vidp Smyth's Tour in the United States of America, vol. 2, 
p. 247, 151. ' 



WASH IMC TON. 53 

a multitude of instances, but particularly by 
his accepting the continuance of the chief 
command of the American army, after the 
Congress had suddenly declared for indepen- 
dence, of which measure he always before 
affected to disapprove, and on that account 
pretended to be inclined to resign the com- 
mand ; an intention, of all others, the most 
distant from his mind. 

" His total want of generous sentiments, 
and even of common humanity, has appeared 
notoriously in many instances, and in none 
more than his sacrifice of the meritorious, but 
unfortunate Major Andre. 

" As a general, he is equally liable to cen 
sure, which is well known even to every in- 
telligent Frenchman who has been in Ameri- 
ca, as well as to every person whatsoever, who 
has had an opportunity of observing his mili- 
tary operations ; nor during his life has he 
ever performed a single action that could en*- 
title him to the least share of merit or praise, 
much less of glory. 

" But as a politician he has certainly dis- 
tinguished himself; having by his politicai 
manoeuvres, and his cautious, plausible man- 
agement, raised himself to a degree of emi- 
nence in his own country unrivalled, and ' 
considerable stability. 

*e 2 



TllK LIFE OF 

u However, in his private character he has 
always been respectable, and highly esteem- 
ed ; and has supported a name fair and wor- 
thv." 

In the beginning of July, Washington set 
out tor the camp at Cambridge, in order to 
assume the command of the army. On his 
way thither, he was treated with every de- 
monstration of respect ; escorted by detach- 
ments of gentlemen, who had formed volun- 
teer associations, and honoured with public 
addresses of congratulation from the Provin- 
cial Congress of New-York and Massachu- 
setts. 

In answer to these addresses, Washington, 
alter declaring his high sense ot the regard 
shewn him, added, " Be assured, that every 
exertion of my worthy colleagues and myself 
will be extended to the re-establishment of 
peace and harmony between the mother 
country and these colonies. As to the fatal, 
but necessary operations of war, when we as- 
sumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the 
citizen, and we shall most sincerely rejoice 
with you in that happy hour, when the re-es- 
tablishment ot American liberty, on the most 
firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to 
return to our private stations, in the bosoms 
of a free, peaceful; and happy country." 



WASHINGTON. 6 5 

On bis arrival at the camp, be was receiv- 
ed with the joyful acclamations of the Amer- 
ican army. Me found the British troops en- 
trenched on Hunker's Mill, and defended by 
three floating batteries in Mystic river, while 
the Americans were entrenched on Winter 
Hill, Prospect Mill, and Roxbury," with a 
communication by small posts over an extent 
ot ten miles. As the provincial soldiers had 
repaired to the camp in their ordiiwy cloth- 
ing, the hunting shirt was adopted for the 
sake of uniformity. Washington found a 
large body of men indifferently disciplined, 
and but badly provided with arms and am- 
munition. Besides they had neither engi- 
neers nor sufficient tools for the erection of 
fortifications. He also found uncommon 
difficulties in the organization of his army. — 
Enterprizing leaders had distinguished them- 
selves at the commencement of hostilities, 
and their followers, from attachment, were 
not willing to be commanded by officers 
who, though appointed by Congress, were 
strangers to them. To subject the licentious- 
ness of freemen to the controul of military* 
discipline, was both an arduous and delicate 
task. However, the genius of Washington 
triumphed over all difficulties. In his letter 
to Congress, after he had reviewed the troops, 



56 THE LIFE OF 

he says, " I find here excellent materials for 
an army ; able-bodied men of undoubted 
courage, and zealous in the cause." In the 
same letter, he complains of tne want of am- 
munition, camp equipage, and many other 
requisites of an army. 

Washington, at the head of his troops, pub- 
lished a declaration, previously drawn up by 
Congress, expressive of their motives for tak- 
ing up arms. It was written in energetic 
language, and contained the following re- 
markable passages : 

" Were it possible for men who exercise 
their reason, to believe that the Divine Au- 
thor of our existence intended a part of the 
human race to hold an absolute property in, 
and unbounded power over others, marked 
out by his infinite goodness and wisdom as 
the objects of a legal domination, never 
rightfully resistible, however severe and op- 
pressive, the inhabitants of these colonies 
might, at least, require from the Parliament 
of Great Britain some evidence, that this 
dreadful authority over them has been grant- 
ed to that body. But a reverence for our 
great Creator, principles of humanity, and 
the dictates of common sense, must convince 
all those who reflect upon the subject, that 
government was instituted to promote the 






WASHINGTON. 57 

welfare of mankind, and ought to be admin- 
istered for the attainment of that end. 

" The Legislature of Great Britain, how- 
ever, stimulated by an inordinate passion for 
power, not only unjustifiable, but which they 
know to be peculiarly reprobated by the ve- 
ry constitution of that kingdom, and despair- 
ing of success in any mode of contest where 
regard should be had to truth, law or right, 
have at length, deserting those, attempted to 
effect their cruel and impolitic purpose of en- 
slaving these colonies by violence, and have 
thereby rendered it necessary for us to close 
with their last appeal from reason to arms.' — • 
Yet however blinded that assembly may be, 
by their intemperate rage for unlimited do- 
minion, so to slight justice and the opinion 
of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound, by 
obligations of respect to the rest of the world, 
to make known the justice of our cause. " 

The declaration then proceeds to describe 
the manner in which the first colonists left 
Great Britain, the mutual friendly intercourse 
that had subsisted for ages between that 
country and her colonists, and the unconsti- 
tutional manner in which Parliament had 
acted for the last ten years towards the 
Americans. It then continues : 

u We have for ten years incessantly be- 
sieged the throne as supplicants ; we reason- 



38 THE LIFE OF 

ed, we remonstrated with Parliament in the 
most mild and decent language ; but admin- 
istration, sensible that vve should regard 
those measures as freemen ought to do, sent 
over fleets and armies to enforce them. 

" We are reduced to the alternative of 
choosing an unconditional submission to ty- 
ranny, or resistance by force. The latter is 
our choice. We have counted the cost of 
this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as 
voluntary slavery. Honour, justice, and hu- 
manity, forbid us tamely to surrender that 
freedom which we received from our gallant 
ancestors, and which our innocent posterity 
have aright to receive from us. W T e cannot 
endure the infamv and guilt of resigning suc- 
ceeding generations to that wretchedness 
which inevitably awaits them, if we basely 
entail hereditary bondage upon them. 

" Our cause is just, our union is perfect, 
our internal resources are great ; and if ne- 
cessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly at- 
tainable. 

" W fight not for glory or conquest ; we 
exhibit to mankind the remarkable spectacle 
of a people attacked by unprovoked enemies. 
They boast of their privileges, and yet prof- 
fer no milder conditions than servitude or 
death. 



WASHINGTON. 59 

" In our own native land, in defence of 
the freedom that is our birth-right ; for the 
protection of our property, acquired by the 
honest industry of our forefathers and our 
own; against violence actually offered, we 
have taken up arms : we shall lay them down 
when hostilities shall cease on the part of the 
aggressors, and all danger of their being re- 
newed shall be removed, and not before." 

This bold and explicit manifesto was dated 
at Philadelphia, the 6th of July, 1775, and 
subscribed by John Hancock, President of 
Congress, and Charles Thompson, Secretary. 
A general spirit of unanimity pervaded the 
Colonies at this momentous period. Men of 
all ranks and ages were animated with mar- 
tial ardour, and even religious prejudices 

were overcome by patriotic enthusiasm. 

Several young men of the Quaker persuasion, 
joined the military associations; and the 
number of men in arms throughout the colo- 
nies was very considerable. 

Nor was this zeal for the common cause 
confined to the men ; even the fair sex evin- 
ced their patriotism. At a meeting of the 
women of Bristol county, in Pennsylvania, 
a large sum of money was subscribed to raise 
and equip a regiment. When the men were 
embodied, a lady was deputed by the rest to 



60 THE LIFE OF 

present the regiment with a magnificent suit 
of colours, which had been wrought for them 
and embellished with mottos and devices. She 
made a very animated speech on the occa- 
sion, and concluded with an injunction to 
the officers and soldiers, "never to desert the 
colours of the ladies, if they wished that the 
ladies should enlist under their banners." 

Notwithstanding these warlike prepara- 
tions, the Americans unanimously protested 
that they took up arms only to obtain a re- 
dress of grievances ; and a separation from 
the parent state was an object foreign to 
their wishes. The rancour, however, that 
accompanies a civil war, was productive of 
mutual reproaches, and the slightest proof of 
enmity was keenly felt as proceeding from 
those who were once friends. 

An instance of this nature happened at 
Boston, while invested with the provincial 
army, and produced the memorable corres- 
pondence between the respective command- 
ers. The last letter, written by General 
Washington to General Gage, exhibited a 
lively portrait of his character and principles, 
as well as those of his countrymen. It con- 
tained the following striking passages: 

" Whether British or American mercy, 
fortitude and patience are most pre-eminent ; 



WASHINGTON. 61 

whether our victorious citizens, whom the 
hand of tyranny has forced into arms to de- 
fend their property and freedom, or the mer- 
cenary instrument of lawless domination, 
avarice and revenge, best deserve the appel- 
lation of rebels, and the punishment of that 
cord, which your affected clemency has for- 
born to inflict ; whether the authority under 
which I act, is usurped, or founded upon the 
genuine principles of liberty ; such consider- 
ations are altogether foreign to the subject of 
our correspondence. I purposely avoid all 
political disquisition ; nor shall I avail myself 
of those advantages which the sacred cause 
of my country, of liberty, and of human na- 
ture, give me over you ; much less shall I 
stoop to retort any invective. 

" You affect, sir, to despise all rank not 
derived from the same source with your own. 
I cannot conceive one more honourable than 
that which flows from the uncorrupted choice 
of a brave and free people, the purest source 
and original fountain of all power. Far from 
thinking it a plea for cruelty, a mind of true 
magnanimity, and enlarged ideas, would 
comprehend and respect it." 

This celebrated letter was by the Ameri- 
cans represented as the most perfect model 
of the style becoming the Commander in 

F 



62 THE LIFE OF 

Chief, and the occasion to which it was 
adapted ; nay, it was commended in differ- 
ent parts of Europe, and even in England, as 
the most proper answer he could make. 

In September, Gen. Gage sailed for Eng- 
land ; and the command of the British army 
devolved on Gen. Howe. 

Meanwhile the army under Washington 
continued the blockade of Boston, so closely 
as to prevent all intercourse between that 
town and the country. The provincial for- 
tes was formed in three grand divisions, of 
which General Ward commanded the right 
wing, General Lee the left, and the centre 
was commanded by Washington. The ar- 
my was arranged by Gen. Gates, by whose 
exert; ns military discipline was gradually 
and successfully introduced ; the officers and 
privates were taught the necessity of a due 
subordination, and became expert in the dif- 
ferent manoeuvres that constitute the regu- 
larity of an army. 

One insuperable obstacle to the provincial 
army's arriving at perfect discipline, was the 
shortness of the time tor which the men had 
been eniisted. It had been limited to six 
months, and no part of the troops were en- 
gaged longer than till the first day of Janua- 
ry, 1776. To prevent the Englsh general 



WASHINGTON. 63 

from taking advantage of this circumstance, 
Washington was obliged occasionally to call 
in the militia, when the disbanded men left 
the camp, in order that the works should be 
properly defended. 

When Congress sent their second petition 
to the king, they also sent an address to the 
people of Great Britain, and another to the 
inhabitants of Ireland. At the same time 
they wrote to the Canadians, exhorting them 
to assert their righrs, and enter into a treaty. 
As the British ministry had endeavoured to 
engage the Indians in an alliance against the 
colonies, and had sent agents among them 
for that purpose, Congress resolved to coun- 
teract this measure. In order to conciliate 
the friendship of the Indians, and obviate the 
dangers that would ensue from then enmity, 
commissioners were deputed by Congress to 
secure their adherence to the colonics. 

When the British agents arrived among 
the Indians, with large presents to their 
Chiefs, they met with a very cool reception. 
The Sachems told them, " they w r ere sur- 
prised to see Englishmen ask their assistance 
against one another, and advised them to be 
reconciled. They,, paid more respect to the 
commissioners from Congress ; they agreed 
to remain neuter ; and thus the colonists were 



64 THE LIFE OF 

freed from their apprehensions of a very dan- 
gerous enemy. 

The six confederate nations that border on 
the colonies, consist of the Mohawks, Onei- 
das, Tuscaroras, Onondagas*, Cayugas, and 
Senecas. A solemn conference was held be- 
tween the deputies from Congress and these 
tribes at Onondaga; and the style of the 
speech made to them on that occasion, is a 
most curious specimen of the manner and 
form of the polical intercourse between the 
colonists and the original natives of Ameri- 
ca. The following extracts will probably 
be amusing to the reader : 
u Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors ! 

" We, the delegates from the twelve Unit- 
ed Provinces, now sitting in General Con- 
gress at Philadelphia, send their talk to you, 
our brothers. 
" Brothers and friends, now attend : 

" "When our fathers crossed the great wa- 
ter, and came over to this land, the King of 
England gave them a talk, assuring them that 
they and their children should be his chil- 
dren ; and that, if they would leave their na- 
tive country and make settlements and live 
here, and buy and sell, and trade with their 
brethren beyond the water, they should still 
keep hold of the same covenant chain, and 



WASHINGTON. 65 

enjoy peace, and it was covenanted that the 
fields, houses, goods and possessions which 
our fathers should acquire, should remain to 
them as their own, and be their children's 
forever, and at their sole disposal. 

" Brothers and friends, open a kind ear ! 

" We will now tell you of the quarrel be- 
twixt the counsellors of King George, and 
the inhabitants and colonies of America. 

" Many of his counsellors have persuaded 
him to break the covenant chain, and not to 
send us any more good talks. They have 
prevailed upon him to enter into a covenant 
against us, and have torn asunder, and cast 
behind their backs the good old covenant, 
which their ancestors and ours entered into 
and took strong hold of. 

"They now tell us, they will put their 
hands into our pockets without asking, as 
though it were their own : and at their plea- 
sure they will take from us our charters, our 
written civil constitutions, which we love as 
our lives; also our plantations, our houses, 
and goods, whenever they please, without 
asking our leave. They tell us that our ves- 
sels may go to that or this island in the sea, 
but to this or to that particular island, we 
shall not trade any more j and in case or 
f 2 



66 THE LIFE OF. 

our non-compliance with these new orders,, 
they shut up their harbours. 

w Brothers, thus stands the matter betwixt 
Old England and America. 

" Notwithstanding all our entreaties, we 
have but little hope the King will send us 
any more good talks by reason of his evil 
counsellors. They have persuaded him to 
send an army of soldiers, and many ships of 
war to rob and destroy us ; they have shut up 
many of our harbours, seized many of our 
vessels : the soldiers have struck the blow ; 
the blood now runs of the American chil- 
dren ; they have also burned our houses and 
towns, and taken much of our goods. 

" Brothers and friends, we desire you will 
hear and receive what we have now told you, 
and that you will open a good ear, and listen 
to what we are now going to say. This is a 
family quarrel between us and Old England ; 
you Indians are not concerned in it; we do 
not wish you to take up the hatchet against 
the king's troops ; we desire you to remain 
at home, and join neither side, but let the 
hatchet be buried deep. 

" In the name and behalf of all our people, 
we ask and desire of you to love peace, and 
to maintain it ; and to love and sympathise 
with us in all our trouble ; that the path may 



WASHINGTON. 67 

be kept open with all our people and yours, 
to pass and re-pass without molestation. 

" Brothers, we live on the same ground 
with you ; the same island is our common 
birth place. We desire to sit down under 
the same tree of peace with you ; let us wa- 
ter its roots, and cherish its growth, till the 
large leaves and flourishing branches shall 
extend to the setting sun and reach the skies. 
" Brothers, observe well : 

" What is it we ask of you ? Nothing 
but peace. And if application should be 
made to you by any of the king's ministers to 
join on their side, we advise you to look for- 
ward to the consequences of a compliance; 
for if the king's troops take away our proper- 
ty, and destroy us, who are of the same blood 
with themselves, what can you, who are In- 
dians, expect from them afterwards? 

" Therefore we say, brothers, take care 1 
hold fast to your covenant chain : you know 
our disposition towards you, the six nations 
of Indians, and your allies. Let this our 
good talk remain at Onondaga, your central 
council-house. We depend upon you to 
send and acquaint your allies to the north- 
ward, the seven tribes on the river St. Law- 
rence, that you have this talk of ours at the 
great council-fire of the six nations. And 



0t8 THE LIFE OF 

when you return, we invite your great men 
to come and converse further with us at Al- 
bany, where we intend to rekindle the coun-~ 
cil-fire, which your and our ancestors set 
round in great friendship. Brothers and 
friends, we greet you all. Farewell. " 

Ticonderogo had been taken by Colonel 
Arnold on the 10th of May. This import- 
ant fortress is situated on a promontory, 
formed at the junction of Lake George and 
Lake Champlain, and consequently it is the 
key of communication between New -York 
and Canada. Arnold, Mushed with success, 
wrote a letter to Congress, in which he of- 
fered to reduce the whole province of Cana- 
da with two thousand men. From the im- 
petuosity of his disposition, he advised the 
adoption of an offensive war, but as Congress 
did not wish to widen the breach between 
Great Britain and the colonies, and an ac- 
commodation was their wish, they deterred 
the invasion of Canada. 

Sir Guy Carleton, the Governor of that 
province, planned a seheme for the recovery 
of Tieonderoga, and Crown Point, another 
fort which had been taken by the Ameri- 
cans. He had been invested with full pow- 
ers to embody the Canadians, and march 
them against the enemy j however, they 



WASHINGTON. 69 

were very unwilling to engage in the contest, 
but he hoped, on t) e arrival of reinforcements, 
to compel them to act. Meantime, he had 
collected a numerous body of Indians ; his 
troops, though few, were well disciplined, 
and the United Colonies had reason to dread 
a man of his intrepidity and abilities. 

When Congress were informed of these 
exertions in Canada, they thought it expedi- 
ent to make a vigorous attack upon that pro- 
vince, in order to prevent the invasion of 
their north western frontier. In consequence 
of this determination, an army of three thou- 
sand men, under the command of Generals 
Schuyler and Montgomery, were sent to ef- 
fect the conquest of Canada. They proceed- 
ed to Lake Champlain, and thence by water 
to St. John's, the first British post in Canada. 
The Americans landed and besieged the for- 
tress, which was bravely defended by the 
garrison under Major Preston. Illness obli- 
ged Gen. Schuyler to retire to Albany 3 and 
the sole command of the troops devolved on 
Montgomery, who prosecuted the siege with 
such vigour, that in a few days he became 
master of the place. After the reduction of 
Sr. John's, Montgomery advanced to Mont- 
real with his victorious army. On his ap- 
proach to that town, the few British forces 



70 THE LIFE OF. 

which composed the garrison repaired for 
safety on board the shipping, in hopes of es- 
caping down the river, but they were pre- 
vented by a body of continental troops, un- 
der the command of Colonel Easton, who 
was stationed at the point of Sorel River. — 
Gen. Prescot, with several officers, and one 
hundred and twenty privates, surrendered 
themselves prisoners, on terms of capitula- 
tion ; and the American general, after leav- 
ing a garrison at Montreal, advanced with a 
rapid march towards the capital of Canada. 

While Montgomery was thus pursuing the 
career of victory, the province of Canada 
was invaded in another quarter by an enemy 
no less enterprising and intrepid than him- 
self. A detachment of one thousand men 
was sent by General Washington, from the 
American army at Cambridge. This expe- 
dition was conducted by Colonel Arnold, 
who led his trcops by an unexplored route 
through a wilderness. The difficulty en- 
countered by this detachment, during thirty- 
one days, were almost insurmountable. — 
They proceeded in boats by the river Ken- 
nebeck, and were obliged to work upwards 
against its impetuous current. After suffer- 
ing various hardships, and losing ab ye one 
third of his men, by sickness and desertion, 



WASHINGTON. 71 

Colonel Arnold arrived at the inhabited part 
of Canada, after a march of six weeks. 

The Canadians were astonished to behold 
an army emerging from the bosom of the wil- 
derness; they gave them the same welcome 
that had been shewn to their countrymen in 
other parts of the province, and supplied 
those half-famished adventurers with all kinds 
of necessaries. 

Arnold published a declaration, in the 
name of General Washington. It invited 
the Canadians to accede to the union of the 
colonies, and fight like them, for American 
freedom! 

The appearance of Colonel Arnold before 
Quebec, threw the inhabitants into the great- 
est consternation ; but as in his march it had 
been impossible to bring any cannon, he 
could only seize the avenues that led to the 
city, in order to cut off supplies and provi- 
sions, and await the arrival of the troops un- 
der Montgomery. 

That General had many obstacles to over- 
come. The principal of these was the licen- 
tiousness of his army, which was composed of 
men who, accustomed to act from the im- 
pulse of their own minds, were averse to the 
restraints of discipline. It required all the 
vigilance, the affability, and eloquence of 



7"2 THE LIFE OF 

Montgomery to manage bis licentious sol- 
diers in their march towards Quebec. His 
magnanimity and prudence prevailed ; and 
the fair sex in that province had reason to 
bless the hero who preserved their social se- 
curity and honour. 

On the 5th oi December, 1775, Montgo- 
mery arrived in sight of Quebec. He sum- 
moned it in due form, but the garrison fired 
at his flag of truce, and refused to admit his 
message. As the depth of winter approach- 
ed, he was convinced of the necessity of 
either raising the siege, or taking the city by 
escalade. 

General Carleton made such exertions as 
evinced the most determined resistance, and 
his example animated the courage of the gar- 
rison. The town was remarkably strong 
both from nature and art, and the number of 
the besiegers was inconsiderable ; besides, 
the vigilance of the Governor was such, that 
every part was guarded with the greatest cir- 
cumspection. 

Montgomery on the other hand, possessed 
all those romantic ideas of military glory 
which prevailed in the days of chivalry ; and 
this love of enterprize was cherished by an in- 
trepidity which made him overlook all pe- 
•rils 3 he was conscious that his troops would 



WASHINGTON. T.T 

follow with alacrity wherever he should lead, 
and he determined to take the city by storm, 
or perish in the attempt. 

On the 31st of December, 1775, he ad- 
vanced to the attack by break of day. In 
order to incite emulation among the provin- 
cial troops, there were two attacks, one by 
the New-England men, headed by Arnold, 
and the other by the New- York men, whom 
the general led in person. 

The way through which Montgomery and 
his party had to pass, was narrow, and, as 
he knew the most desperate exertions of va- 
lour would be required, he had selected a 
number of his most resolute men for this en- 
terprize. lie advanced amid a heavy show- 
er of snow, and having forced the first bar- 
rier, he rushed forward at the head of his 
party, and hastened to close in with the ene- 
my. The second barrier, which led directly 
to the gates of the lower town, was defend- 
ed by a strong body of the garrison, who were 
posted there with several pieces of cannon 
ready loaded. Montgomery advanced with 
rapid movement, and v. as received with a 
volley of musketry and grape-shot, that, in an 
instant, killed and wounded almost the whole 
of his party. He fell himself, with the 
principal officers. The troops were so 



G 



+4 THE LIFE OF 

much disconcerted by the loss of their gen- 
eral, that they retreated. In the mean time, 
Colonel Arnold was engaged in a furious as- 
sault on the opposite side of the town. He 
attacked and carried a barrier defended with 
cannon, but this success was attended with a 
great loss of men, and he received a wound 
himself, which made it necessary to carry 
him 68 the field of battle. The officers on 
whom the command devolved, continued the 
assault, and took possession of another bar- 
rier; but the besieged, who now perceived 
the inconsiderable number of the assailants, 
sallied from a gate that opened towards their 
rear, and attacked them in turn. The pro- 
vincials were now hemmed in from all pos- 
sibility of retreat, and exposed to a tremen- 
dous fire from the walls; yet in this dreadful 
situation they maintained the contest three 
hours before they surrendered. 

This signal discomfiture of the Americans 
put an end to all apprehensions for the satety 
of Canada. 

No man that ever fell in battle during a 
Civil war was more universally regretted than 
Montgomery. That general was born in 

land in the vcar 1737, He had served in 
the British army under (km. Wolfe ; and, in 
1756, had been victorious on the very spot 
where he now fell At the conclusion of 



WAS HI KG TON. It 

the war he married an American lady, and 
settled near New-York, where he was as 
much beloved and respected as if he had been 
a native of the first consequence. Mis repu 
tation for integrity induced Congress to hon- 
or him with a commission of Brigadier Gen- 
eral ; and his conduct justified their high 
opinion of his abilities and integrity. 

While he lived to act in their service, no 
man rendered them of more importance, or 
did their cause more honor. He had enga 
ged in the service of America from princi 
pie ; he had sacrificed the enjoyment of an 
easy fortune, and the endearments of connu- 
bial love to the defence of the community, of 
which he was an adopted member, and lie 
sealed Ins attachment to their cause with h\> 
blood. He had the singular felicity of being 
esteemed by both parties ; and when tin-. 
news of his death arrived in England, those 
who had been his fellow soldiers in the hit- 
war, shed tears at his untimely fate. His re 
mains were treated with all due respect b\ 
Gen. Carleton, and interred in Quebec, on 
the 1st day of January, 1776, with the mi- 
litary solemnities becoming his rank. 

Congress gave a testimony of their grati- 
tude by the following resolution : 

" Resolved, that to express the veneration, 
of the United Colonies for their late Gener- 



76 THE LIFE OF 

al, Richard Montgomery, and the decpsens'e 
they entertain for the many signal and im- 
portant services of that gallant officer, who 
after a series of successes, amidst the most 
discouraging difficulties, fell, at length, in a 
gallant attack upon Quebec, the capital of 
Canada ; and to transmit to future ages, as 
examples truly worthy of imitation, his pa- 
triotism, conduct., boldness ot enterprize, in- 
superable perseverance, and contempt of 
danger and death, a Monument be procured 
from Paris, or other part of France, with an 
inscription sacred to his memory, and expres- 
sive of his amiable character and heroic at- 
chievemcnts, and that the continental trea- 
surer be directed to advance a sum, not ex- 
ceeding JpSOO sterling, to Doctor Benjamin 
Franklin, who is desired to see this resolution 
properly executed, for defraying the expence 
thereof." 

An elegant monument of white marble, 
adorned with emblematic devices, was sculp- 
tured by a French artist. The inscription 
was given by Doctor Franklin in the follow- 
ing words : 

THIS MONUMENT 
Is erected by the order of Coxgrbss, 25th January, 1776, to 
transmit to posterity a grateful remembrance of the Patriotism, 
Conduct, Enterprise and Perseverance of 

Majou-Geniral RICHAKD MOXTGOM EXV : 
Who after a series of successes, amidst the most discouraging 
difficulties, fdl in the attack on Quebec. 31st December, 177 : 
aged 37 years. 



WASHINGTON. 77 

This memorial of departed valour and vir- 
tue is erected in the front of St. Paul's Church, 
in the city of New-York. 

After this unsuccessful attempt to take 
Quebec, Arnold, with the remains of the 
provincials, retired to the distance of three 
miles from the town, and was enabled to sus- 
tain the hardships of a winter encampment 
in that rigorous climate, in consequence of 
the kindness of the Canadians. 

Though this expedition had failed in the 
great object, yet it effectually prevented any 
invasion from that quarter, a circumstance 
that had been apprehended by Congress. 

The southern provinces now became in- 
volved in the contest, especially Virginia, 
where the disputes of the Governor, Lord 
Dun more, with the Assembly, after repeat- 
ed aggravations on both sides, terminated in 
open hostilities. He had retired from Vv r il- 
iiamsburg to Norfolk, where he was joined 
by a considerable number of loyalists ; but 
after several skirmishes, he was obliged to 
retire to the shipping, that lay in the river ad- 
jacent to the town. As it was now in the 
possession of the Americans, they not only 
refused to supply the people on board with 
provisions, but annoyed them with a number 
of riflemen who were placed in houses near 

G 2 



78 THE LIFE OF 

the ships, and inhumanly aimed at, and kil- 
led several persons on board. Exasperated 
at their conduct, Lord Dunmore ordered a 
party to land under cover of a man of war, 
and set fire to the town. Thus Norfolk was 
reduced to ashes, and the loss was estimated 
at upwards of ^£300,000 sterling. 

Meantime, the Governors of the twoCa- 
rolinas were expelled by the people, and 
obliged to take refuge on board the British 
men of war. 

Thus, at the conclusion of the year 1775, 
the whole of the British colonies, except the 
town of Boston, were united against the 
mother country. 

The British troops at Boston had endured 
a tedious blockade with their characteristic 
fortitude. All communication with the 
conntry was prevented; and the garrison 
suffered many inconveniencies from the want 
of necessaries. They felt the severities of a 
winter campaign in a rigorous climate, espe- 
cially those who were stationed at Bunker's 
Hill, where they lay exposed to winds and 
snows almost intolerable to a British consti- 
tution. The provincials in the mean time, 
were well supplied with necessaries in their 
encampment before Boston. Here Wash- 
ington pre.ided, and, by his prudent rejjula- 






WASHINGTON. 79 

lions, the troops bad all the comforts of good 
tents, bedding, and fresh provisions. 

An intense frost usually begins throughout 
New-England about the latter end of De- 
cember, when the harbour of Boston, and all 
the rivers in the environs of that town, are 
generally frozen to a depth of ice sufficient to 
bear a great weight. Washington proposed 
to take possession not only of the town, but 
also to take or destroy all the shipping in the 
harbour, and, by this decisive enterprize, put 
a conclusion to all the hopes of Great Britain 
in this quarter. His troops were eager to 
distinguish themselves by this atchievement, 
and, if requisite, a greater force could soon 
be collected to second their efforts. This 
winter, however, was unusually mild, and,, 
by preventing the operations of the provin- 
cials, both they and the garrison were obliged 
to remain inactive. 

In the mean time, Mr. Penn, who had 
brought over the last petition from Congress, 
was examined at the bar of the House of 
Lords. This gentleman had been governor 
of Pennsylvania; he was personally ac- 
quainted with most of the members of Con- 
gress, and was qualified to give the most au- 
thentic information respecting the temper 
and inclinations of the Americans; it appear- 



80 THE LIFE OF 

ed from his testimonies, that the charge of 
aiming at independence, which had been 
imputed to Congress, was unfounded. They 
had been fairly elected, were men of charac- 
ter and abilities ; the colonies had the high- 
est confidence in their integrity, and were 
governed by their decisions. 

From his account it appeared that Penn- 
sylvania alone, was able to raise sixty thou- 
sand men, twenty thousand of whom had ac- 
tually enrolled themselves to serve without 
pay, and were armed and embodied before 
his departure from the continent. Besides, 
they had, in imitation of the colony of Mas- 
sachusetts, instituted a corps of minute- men, 
amounting to five thousand. 

After a tedious debate in both Houses of 
Parliament, the petition of Congress was 
rejected, all attempts to reconciiiate were sus- 
pended, the standard of defiance seemed 
now to be raised, and both parties seemed 
to be determined to make the last appeal to 
'arms. 

When the news of this rejection of the 
American petition reached the camp before 
Boston, the troops expressed the greatest in- 
dignation. As Georgia had joined the con- 
federacy, the Americans now changed their 
colours froap a plain red ground, to thirteen 



WASHINGTON. 81 

stripes, alternately red and white, to denote 
tl. number of the United Colonies. 

Washington exerted his skill and activity 
in order to compel the British army, either to 
surrender or evacuate Boston before any 
succours could arrive from England. On 
the 2d of March, 1776, he opened a battery 
on the west side of the town, and bombard- 
ed it. This attack was supported by a tre- 
mendous cannonade, and on the 5th, ano- 
ther battery was opened on the eastern shore, 
The garrison susta : ned this dreadful bom- 
bardment with the greatest fortitude ; it last- 
ed fourteen days without intermission, when 
Gen. Howe, finding the place no longer ten- 
able, resolved to embark for Halifax. 

The evacuation of Boston was not inter- 
rupted by the provincials, lest the British 
troops should set it on fire. 

When the Americans took possession of 
Boston, they found a multitude of valuable 
articles, which were unavoidably left behind 
by the British army. The principle of these 
were artillery and ammunition ; but the most 
valuable booty was a large quantity of wool- 
lens and linens, of which the provincials stood 
in the most pressing need. 

Washington now directed his attention to 
the fortifications of Boston, He employed a 



82 THE LIFE OF 

number of foreign engineers to superintend 
the construction of new works ; and so ea^er 
were the people in the prosecution of this 
business, that every effective man in the 
town, without distinction, devoted two days 
of the week to its completion. 

As Washington was uncertain of the des- 
tination of the British fleet and army which 
had left Boston, and as New-York lay expos- 
ed to any sudden attack, he detached several 
of his best regiments, under General Lee, 
for the defence of that city. 

Meanwhile, a small fleet, under the com- 
mand of Sir Peter Parker, and a body of 
troops under Generals Cornwallis, Clinton, 
and Vaughan, sailed for Charleston, the cap- 
ital of South Carolina. 

The fleet had some difficulty in passing 
Charleston bar, being obliged to take out the 
guns from two of the largest ships, which 
were, notwithstanding, several times in dan- 
ger of sticking fast. The next obstacle was 
a strong fort on Sullivan's Island, six miles 
east from Charleston ; which, though not 
completely finished, was very strong. How- 
ever, the British generals resolved without 
'Hesitation to attack it • but though an attack 
was easy from the sea, it was very difficult 
to obtain a co-operation of the land forces. — 



WASHINGTON. 83 

This was attempted by landing them on 
Long Island, adjacent to Sullivan's Island on 
the east, from which it is separated by a very 
narrow creek, said not to be above two feet 
deep at low water. Opposite to this ford 
the provincials had posted a strong body of 
troops, with cannon and entrenchments ; 
whilst general Lee was posted on the main 
land, with a bridge of boats betwixt that 
and Sullivan 's Island, so that he could at plea- 
sure send reinforcements to the troops in the 
fort on Sullivan's Island. 

On the part of the British, so many delays 
occurred, that it was the 28th of June be- 
fore matters were in readiness for an attack % 
and by this time the provincials had abun- 
dantly provided for their reception, On the 
morning of that day, the bomb-ketch began 
to throw 7 shells into Fort Sullivan, and about 
mid-day the two 50 gun ships and the three 
28 gun frigates came up and began a severe 
fire. The three frigates were ordered to 
take their station between Charleston and 
the fort, in order to enfilade the batteries, and 
cut off the communication with the main 
land ; but through the ignorance of the pi- 
lots they all stuck fast ; and though two of 
them was disentangled, they were found to 
be totally unfit for service : the third was 



£4 THE LIFE OF 

burnt, that she might not fall into the hands 
of the provincials. 

The attack was therefore confined to the 
13ristol, Experiment, the three armed vessels, 
and the bomb-ketch, between whom and 
the fort a dreadful fire ensued. The Bristol 
suffered excessively. The springs on her ca- 
ble being shot away, she was for some time 
entirely exposed to the fire of the batteries. 
As the Americans poured in great quantities 
of red hot balls, she was twice in flames. — 
The captain (Mr. Morris,) after receiving five 
wounds, was obliged to go below deck in 
order to have his arm amputated. After un- 
dergoing this operation he returned to his 
place, where he received another wound, but 
still refused to quit his station : at last he 
received a red hot ball in his belly, which in- 
stantly put an end to his existence. Of all 
the officers and seamen who stood on the 
quarter deck of this vessel, not one escaped 
without a wound, excepting Sir Peter Par- 
ker alone ; whose intrepidity and presence 
of mind on this occasion was very remarka- 
ble. The engagement lasted till darkness 
put an end to it. Little damage was done 
by the British, as the works of the Ameri- 
cans lay so low, that many of the shot flew 
over; and the fortifications being composed 



WASHINGTON. 85 

of palm trees mixed with earth, were ex- 
tremely well calculated to resist the impres- 
sion of cannon. Daring the height of the 
attack, the provincial batteries remained for 
some time silent, so that it was concluded 
they had been abandoned; but this was 
found to proceed only from want of powder ; 
for as soon as a supply of this necessary arti- 
cle was obtained, the firing was resumed as 
before. During this desperate engagement 
H was found impossible for the land forces 
to give the least assistance to the fleet. The 
American works were found to be much 
stronger than they had been imagined, and 
the depth of water effectually prevented 
them from making any attempt. In this un- 
successful attack, the killed and wounded on 
the part of the British amounted to about two 
hundred. The Bristol and Experiment were 
so much damaged, that it was thought they 
could not have been got over the bar; how- 
ever, this was at last accomplished by a very' 
great exertion of naval skill, to the surprise 
of the provincials, who had expected to make 
them both prizes. On the American side, 
the loss was judged to have been considera- 
ble, but was reported to be only. ten men kil- 
led, and twenty-two wounded. Before 
morning, the ships had retired about two 



u 



86 THE LIFE OF 

miles distant from the island; and in a few 
days more, the troops re-embarked, and the 
whole sailed for New-York. 

The Americans on this occasion justly 
boasted of their heroes. Aserjeant, observ- 
ing the flag staff shot away in the beginning 
of the action, jumped from one of the embra- 
sures upon the beach, took up the flag, and 
fixing it upon a sponge staff, put it in its pro- 
per place, in the midst of the dreadful fire al- 
ready mentioned. For this distinguished act 
of bravery he was presented with a sword by 
the Congress. Another, whilst exerting 
himself in a very distinguished manner, was 
cruelly shattered by a cannon ball : when 
about to expire, " My friends,'' said he, * I 
am dying, but don't let the cause of liberty 
expire with me/' 

The thanks of Congress were given to 
General Lee, and also to Colonels Moultrie 
and Thompson, for their good conduct in 
this memorable action. In compliment to 
the commanding officer, the fort from that 
time was called Fort Moultrie. 

This year also, the Americans, having so 

,:i:cn ly made trial of their valour by land, 
became desirous of trying it by sea also, and 
of forming a navy that might in some mea- 
sure be able to protect their trade, and do es- 



WASHINGTON. 87 

sential hurt to the enemy. In the beginning 
of March, Commodore Hopkins was dis- 
patched with two ships, two brigs, and a 
sloop, to the Bahama Islands, where he made 
himself master of the ordnance and military 
stores ; but the gun-powder, which had been 
the principal object, was removed. On his 
return he captured several vessels ; but was 
foiled in his attempt on the Glasgow frigate, 
which found means to escape, notwithstand- 
ing the efforts of his whole squadron. 

On the 4th of July, 1776, the representa- 
tives of the United States of America, in 
Congress assembled, formally renounced ali. 
connection with Great Britain, and declared 
themselves in dependent. They also pub- 
lished a manifesto, stating a list of grievan- 
ces, which, notwithstanding their repeated 
petitions, remained unredressed. For these 
reasons they determined on a final separation 
from the mother country ; and to hold the 
people of Great Biitain as the rest of man- 
kind, " enemies in war, in peace, friends." 
The striking detail of injuries, the perspicui- 
ty or' language and simplicity of style of this 
celebrated declaration, has drawn forth the 
admiration and respect of the learned of all 
nations. 

This formal renunciation of allegiance to 
Great Britain, was followed by the greates 



88 *■ THE LIFE OF 

preparations for war throughout the United 
States. 

Washington took every precaution for de- 
fensive operations, by erecting forts, and sta- 
tioning troops at the most vulnerable points. 
The nature of the country was peculiarly fa- 
vourable to defence. New-England, espe- 
cially, presented many natural barriers, con- 
sisting of hills and mountains, intersected by 
rivers, and interspersed with trees, rocks, and 
precipices, several defiles, skirted by impen- 
etrable woods, while majestic rivers, flow ing 
with impetuous currents, seemed to preclude 
the invader. 

By the indefatigable activity of Washing- 
ton, trie American army was well disciplined, 
and the best troops were collected at New- 
York, where every accessible place was 
strengthened by fortifications. 

General Howe resolved to quit Halifax, 
and proceed to New- York, where he intend- 
ed to wait for the reinforcements from Eng- 
land. He sailed about the middle of June, 
and at the end of the month arrived at Sandy 
Hook, a point of land which stands at the 
entrance of a large body of water formed by 
the confluence of several rivers, and which 
is surrounded by New- York, Staten, and 
Long-Islands. 



WASHINGTON. %t) 

About the middle of July, Lord Howe 
arrived with a fleet and army from England. 
He sent a circular letter to the Governors 
who had been displaced by their respective 
provinces, in which he explained, that he 
was empowered, in conjunction with his 
brother, to grant general or particular par- 
dons, to all those who were willing to return 
to their allegiance to the King of Great Bri- 
tain. Congress ordered this letter and de- 
claration to be published in all the newspa- 
pers, that every one, as they said, might know 
the nature of the power with which the com- 
missioners were invested, and that those who- 
relied on the justice and moderation of the 
British ministry, might be fully convinced that 
they must trust to their valour for the preser- 
vation of their liberties. 

Lord Howe next sent a letter to the Amer- 
ican commander in chief; but, as it was di- 
rected to " George Washington, Esq." the 
general refused to receive it, as not directed 
to him agreeable to his station. His con- 
duct, on this occasion, received the unani- 
mous approbation or Congress. 

To obviate this difficulty, Adjutant-Gen- 
eral Patterson was sent by General How 
with a letter directed to <k Geo. Washington^ 
&c. &c. &c." lie was politely received^, 

H 2 



£0 THE LIFE OF. 

and immediately admitted to the presence of 
the American general. The Adjutant ex- 
pressed much concern on account of the dif- 
ficulties that had arisen from the superscrip- 
tion of the former letter, and hoped that the 
el aeteras would remove all obstructions to 
an intercourse between the commissioners 
and General Washington. To this he re- 
plied, " that a letter written to a person in- 
vested with a public character should specify 
it, otherwise it could not be distinguished 
from a letter on private business; true it 
was, the et aeteras implied every thing, but 
it was no less true, that they implied any 
thing." 

The most interesting part of the conversa- 
tion, was that respecting the power of the 
commissioners, whom, the Adjutant said, 
were ready to exert themselves to the utmost 
to effect a reconciliation. The General re- 
plied, that it did not appear that these pow- 
ers consisted in any more than granting par- 
dons ; but as America had committed no of- 
fence, she asked no iorgiveness, and was only 
defending her unquestionable rights. 

From this conference, it was evident that 
nothing but a decided superiority in the field, 
could induce the Americans to relax the re- 
solutions which they had taken with so-much 
deliberation and solemnity. 



WASHINGTON. 91 

The firmness of Congress had inspired the 
provincials with enthusiasm. That resolute 
body had declared America independent in 
the very face of the British fleet and army, 
while the first was casting anchor in sight of 
New-York, and the reinforcements from 
England were making the second landing on 
Staten-Island. 

An attack on Long-Island being deter- 
mined on by the British commanders, the 
fleet covered the descent of the army, which 
effected a landing without any opposition, on 
the 22d of August, 1776. General Putnam, 
with a large body of troops, lay encamped, 
and strongly fortified, on a northern peninsu- 
la on the opposite shore, with a range of hills 
between the armies, the principal pass of 
which was at a village called Fiat Bush. 

Large detachments of the American army 
occupied the hulls and passes. The right of 
the British army was commanded by Gen. 
Clinton, Lord Percy, and Lord Cornwallis ; 
the centre, composed of Hessians, under 
General Heister, was posted at Fiat Bush; 
and the left, under General Grant, was sta- 
tioned at the sea-shore. 

Early in the morning of the 27th, the en- 
gagement was begun by the Htssians, and a 
heavy fire of cannon aed musquetry was con- 



0S THE LIFE OF 

tinucd on both sides for several hours. One 
ot the passes, which lav at a distance, had 
been neglected by the Americans, which 
gave an opportunity to the tight division of 
the British army to pass the hills, and attack 
them in the rear. 

The Americans, apprised of their danger, 
retreated towards their camp, but they were 
intercepted and driven back into the woods. 
Here they were met by the Hessians, and 
thus exposed to the fire of two parties. No 
way of escaping now remained, but by for- 
cing their way through the ranks of the ene- 
my, and thus regaining their camp. This 
numbers of them effected, but by far the 
greater part were either killed or taken pri- 
soners. 

Washington had crossed over from New- 
York in the height ofthe engagement, but 
he came too late to retrieve the fortune of the 
day. He is said to have burst into the most 
poignant exclamation of grief, when he saw 
some of his best troops killed or taken, with- 
out being able to afford them any assistance, 
but he used his utmost exertions to save 
those that remained, by a well conducted 
retreat. 

The victory was complete 5 the Americans 
lost upwards of three thousand men, includ- 



WASHINGTON. 9$ 

ing two thousand killed, and eleven hundred 
taken prisoners, among whom were three 
generals. On the side of the British, the loss 
in killed and wounded was only about three 
hundred. Among the provincials who fell, 
. a regiment from Maryland was particularly 
regretted. It consisted wholly of young 
men of the best families in that province.— 
They behaved with the most admirable hero- 
ism : they were every one killed or wound- 
ed, and thus perished in the bloom of youth. 
"In this action, a body of provincials were 
put to death after they had thrown down their 
arms, and asked for quarter. The reason as- 
signed for this piece of severity, was, that they 
had discharged their pieces belore they had 
asked for quarter. They were told that if 
they had expected quarter, they ought to have 
asked it before they fired ; but now that they 
had fired, and done all the mischief they 
could, they had no mercy to expect." 

After this defeat, Washington, though 
naturally intrepid, and possessed of an un- 
conquerable fortitude, did not think it expe- 
dient to risk another action against a numer- 
ous army of veterans, well provided with ar- 
tillery, and elated with their recent victory. 
New-York required to be strengthened, and 
the emergency did not admit of a moment's 
delay ; for should the British fleet be able to 



94 THE LIFE OF 

station itself between the camp and that city, 
all would be inevitably lost. 

In this extremity, Washington exerted all 
his characteristic vigilance, and circumspec- 
tion. In the night of the 29th of August, 
favoured by darkness, and in the most pro- 
found silence, he conveyed his troops on 
bond the boats, and landed them on the op- 
posite shore. He also carried off as much of 
their baggage, military stores, and artillery, 
as the time would permit. This retreat was 
conducted with so much secrecy, that with 
the dawn, the British troops were surprised 
to see the rear guard of the American army 
in the boats, and beyond the reach of dan- 



ger. 



When Washington returned with the ar- 
my to New-York, he ordered batteries to be 
erected on every spot whence they could an- 
noy the ships of was, which werenovv station - 
ed in that part of the river which faces the 
city. 

The men of war were continually engaged 
with those batteries, some of which they si- 
lenced, and enabled the British troops to pro- 
ceed up the river, to a bay about three miles 
distant. Here the troops landed, under the 
cannon of the Meet, and marched directly to- 
wards the city, on which Washington retreat- 






WASHINGTON. <?5< 

ed with his men to the north of York Island. 
On this occasion, he lost a great part of his 
artilLery and military stores, yet he engaged 
the British troops wherever he could make an 
advantageous stand. 

Washington had been particularly careful 
to fortify the pass called King's Bridge, and 
had chosen this position for his army, with 
the greatest judgement. He could advance 
or retire at pleasure, without any danger of 
being cut offin a case of defeat. Though he 
was determined not to risk a general engage- 
ment, yet in order to inure his troops to actual 
service, and at the same time annoy the ene- 
my, he employed them in continual skirmish- 
es, in consequence of which they gradually 
became expert soldiers. 

Their distance from the British encamp- 
ment was about two miles, and as the situa- 
tion of the two armies was very inconvenient 
for the British general, he resolved to compel 
General Washington to relinquish his strong 
situation. 

TSie Americans were accused of a design 
of burning the city of New- York at the 
time of evacuation ; the precipitation with 
which .they had been obliged to retreat, pre- 
vented that measure, but they left some per- 
sons behind to carry it into execution. In 



96 THE LIFE OF 

the dead of the night, those incendiaries took 
advantage of the dry weather, and a high 
wind, and set the city on fire in several places 
at the same time. The conflagration was 
terrible ; and notwithstanding the activity of 
the soldiers and sailors, in extinguishing the 
flames, about one fourth part of the city was 
destroyed. Several of those who were said 
to be the incendiaries, were treated without 
mercy, insomuch that the incensed seamen 
and soldiers instantly seized and threw them 
into the fire. 

It was now determined to force the Ameri- 
cans to a greater distance, lest others of their 
emissaries should engage in a similar attempt 
to destroy the city. Accordingly, General 
Howe left a sufficient garrison at New-York, 
and embarked his army in flat-bottomed 
boats, by which they were conveyed through 
the dangerous passage called Hell Gate, and 
landed near the town of West- Chester, on 
the continent. After having received fresh 
reinforcements, the royal army made such 
movements as threatened to distress the 
Americans, by cutting off their supplies ot 
provisions from Connecticut, and thus force 
them to an engagement. 

Washington held a council of war with 
his officers, in which it was resolved to quit 



WASHINGTON. 97 

their present position, and extend the army 
in a long but well secured line. This the gen- 
eral accomplished, by keeping the Brunx, 
a river of considerable length, in front be- 
tween the two armies, with the North River 
on his rear. 

On the 28th of October, at break of day, 
the British troops, divided into two columns, 
advanced towards the White-Plains, an ex- 
tent of high ground, full of craggy hills and 
defiles. 

The Americans maintained their ground 
In front till noon, when they were attacked 
with such vigour by the British army, that 
they were compelled to retire to their en- 
trenchments. 

During the night, Washington, ever intent: 
on the defence and preservation of his army, 
ordered several additional works to be thrown 
up in front of the lines, in consequence of 
which the English General thought it im- 
prudent to attack him till the arrival of rein- 
forcements. 

On mature deliberation, however, Wash- 
ington thought it advisable to retreat ; his 
camp was broken up on the first of Novem- 
ber, and he retired with his army into a 
mountainous country, called the Township of 
Newcastle. By these judicious movements, 

i 



98 THE LIFE OF 

he avoided a general action. His system 
was to harrass the enemy, and habituate his 
men to danger, so that, when the emergency 
required it, they might be able to act with 
energy, 

tf The same short sighted politicians, says 
Dr. Ramsay, who had before censured Gen. 
Washington, for his cautious conduct, in not 
storming the British lines at Boston, renewed 
their clamours against him, for adopting this 
evacuating and retreating system. Support- 
ed by a consciousness of his own integrity, 
and by a full conviction that those measures 
were best calculated for securing the inde- 
pendence of America, he, for the good of 
his country, voluntarily subjected his fame to 
be overshadowed by a temporary cloud." 

When General Howe found that all hisat- 
tempts to bring the enemy to an action were 
ineffectual, he turned his attention to the re- 
duction of Forts Washington and Lee. A 
division of his army advanced to KingV 
Bridge, from which the Americans withdrew 
into Fort Washington, which was immediate- 
]y invested. This fort was situated on the 
western side of New-York island, in the vi- 
cinity of the city, and nearly opposite to Fort 
Lee, which had been lately erected on the 
other side of the water, in the state of Jcr- 



WASHINGTON. 99 

jfiy, Its chief strength was in its situation, 
and it was defended bv three thousand men, 
well supplied with artillery. On the 16th 
of November, this fort was attacked by the 
British army, in four divisions, after a resist- 
ance of some hours, the garrison were over- 
powered and obliged to surrender themselves 
prisoners of war. 

In order to obtain the full command of the 
North River, it was also necessary to reduce 
Fort Lee. For this purpose Lord Cornwal- 
Jis crossed the river, landed on the Jersey 
shore, and marched with all possible expe- 
dition to surprise the garrison. Being ap- 
prized of his approach, they evacuated the 
fort, leaving all their artillery and warlike 
stores to the enemy. Thus both the Jersies 
were laid open to the incursions of the Bri- 
tish troops. They penetrated so far that their 
winter quarters extended from New-Bruns- 
wick to the river Delaware ; and so great 
was the consternation of the Americans, that 
had the British army found a sufficient num- 
ber of boats to ferry them over the Dela- 
ware, it is highly probable that Philadelphia 
would have fallen into their hands. 

Meanwhile, Sir Henry Clinton undertook 
an expedition to Rhode-Island, and became 
master of that province without the loss of a 



iO(i THE LIFE OF 

man. The affairs of the Americans also 
wore an inauspicious aspect on their nor- 
thern frontiers, where General Arnold was 
defeated by General Carleton, and compel- 
pelled to retire from Crown Point to Ticon- 
deroga. 

The American army was now almost en- 
tirely disbanded. As the time for which the 
soldiers had enlisted, was only a twelve- 
month, at the expiration of that period, hav- 
ing fulfilled their agreement, they returned 
home, in consequence of which Gen, Wash- 
ington found his army decreased from thirty 
thousand to about three thousand men. To 
assist the commander in chief as much as 
possible, General Lee had collected a body 
of forces in the north, but on his way south- 
ward, having imprudently lodged at some 
distance from the troops, he was made prison- 
er by a party of British light dragoons, who 
brought him to New-"York. 

The capture of General Lee was a heavy 
joss to the Americans. His professional 
knowledge was great, both in the theory and 
practice of tatties ; he was full of activity, 
fertile in expedients, and of a most intrepid 
and enterprising disposition. 

Congress now exerted themselves to re- 
trieve their losses, and to recruit their armv. 



WASHINGTON. 101 

They were furnished with a just plea for al- 
tering their mode of enlisting men ; they 
ordered a new army to be levied, of which 
the soldier should be bound to serve three 
years, or during the continuance of the war. 
The most liberal encouragement was to be 
given to recruits. Twenty dollars was al- 
lowed to every soldier as bounty, besides an 
allotment of lands, at the end of the war, to 
all that served, and to the families of those 
who should lose their lives in the service of 
their country. 

All the provinces exerted themselves in 
this season of universal danger, and hastened 
to send whatever reinforcements could be 
raised, to their army that lay in the vicinity of 
Philadelphia. 

Exclusive of the dread of being exposed 
to a victorious enemy, the Americans were 
particularly apprehensive of the Hessians,. 
and other Germans, who had on every occa- 
sion committed the most barbarous outrages. 
Those ferocious mercenaries appropriated 
to themselves every thing they could lay their 
hands upon, and plundered a people who not: 
on!y detested but despised them. 

As the British troops lay cantoned on the 
banks of the Delaware, and only waited ti r 
the frost would enable them to cross it, the 
i 2 



102 THE LIFE OF 

Americans thought it advisable to remove 
their Congress to Baltimore, in Maryland. — • 
Meanwhile General Washington continued 
to watch over the safety of his country, his 
mind was continually occupied with new 
plans, for the protection of his beloved Amer- 
ica, and he beheld, with filial solicitude, the 
dangers that threatened her liberties. 

1 he British army now occupied a chain 
of towns and villages through the heart of 
the Jerseys, and had extended their quarters 
into several places in the vicinity of Philadel- 
phia. Gen. Washington resolved to make 
some attempts on those divisions of the ene- 
my that lay nearest that city, and, if possible, 
relieve it from the danger to which it was 
exDosed. 

i 

A corps of Hessians lay at Trenton ; ano- 
ther at Bordenton, some miles lower, and a 
third at Burlington. Those towns were on 
the opposite bank of the Delaware, and the 
last within twenty miles of Philadelphia. — ■ 
The Hessians, from a confidence in their 
military superiority, became inattentive to 
the motions of the Americans, and were 
wholly engaged with those licentious outra- 
ges that had rendered them particularly odi- 
ous. 

Washington prepared to surprize the ene- 
my in their quarters- Accordingly he form- 



WASHINGTON. 103 

ed his army into three divisions ; the first 
was to cross the Delaware at Trenton ferry ; 
the second below Bordenton ; and the third 
he commanded in person, accompanied by 
Generals Sullivan and Greene. This divi- 
sion consisted of three thousond of the best 
men in the American service ; with a train of 
twenty field pieces. On the 25th of Decem- 
ber, Washington marched at the head of his 
division, to a ferry some miles above Tren- 
ton, with an intention to pass it at midnight, 
which would enable him to arrive at Tren- 
ton, with the dawn. 

It is impossible to contemplate the pro- 
gress of this little army of patriots without 
emotion. As they march in solemn silence, 
without one friendly ray to guide their foot- 
steps, what must be their sensations? On 
the success of their enterprize depends the 
freedom and happiness of innumerable mil- 
lions yet unborn; on its failure awaits every 
evil that can appal the heart. The virtuous 
matron, the innocent child, the chaste virgin, 
all depend lor protection on this heroic band. 
As they proceed, their bosoms throb with anx- 
iety, while all the ardour of the soldier arises to 
overcome apprehension ; neither the rigour 
of a winter's night, nor the certainty of the 
perils they must face, can deter them trom 



J04 THE LIFE OP 

their purpose. Their leader, who, like an 
eagle driven from the nest, still hovers about 
its young, what are his thoughts ? his noble 
heart forebodes success ; he anticipates vic- 
tory; and while he feels the glow of hero- 
ism, his fortitude is prepared to brave even 
defeat itself. 

In consequence of the delay occasioned by 
the difficulty of breaking the ice, it was four 
o'clock in the morning before Washington 
could land his troops, with their artillery, on 
the Jersey shore. He then formed his men 
into two divisions : one of which he ordered 
to proceed by the lower road, and he Jed the 
other by the upper road, to Trenton. Though 
it was now eight o'clock, the enemy did not 
discover the approach of the Americans, tiil 
they were attacked by General Washington's 
division, and in three minutes afterwards the 
lower part of the town was assailed by the 
other detachment. Col. Ralle, who com- 
manded the Hessians, made every effort that 
could be expected from a brave veteran ; he 
was mortally wounded, and his troops were 
completely surrounded, and to the number 
of one thousand men, laid down their arms. 

This victory may be considered as one of 
the most fortunate events thatbefel the Amer- 
icans during the war. The capture of those 



WASHINGTON. 105* 

foreign mercenaries, who had done them so 
much mischief, removed all the fears they 
were in for their favourite city. Religious 
individuals attributed this success to the in- 
terposition of Divine Providence, that had 
suffered America to be reduced to the ex- 
treme of distress, in order to teach them not 
to place their reliance on their own strength, 
but to look to an Omnipotent Power for pro- 
tection. 

Washington repassed the Delaware, and 
his return to Philadelphia with such a consi- 
derable number of prisoners, was both pleas- 
ing and unexpected. To surprize a body of 
veterans, and defeat them in their own quar- 
ters, was an atchievement that excited the 
liveliest emotions of admiration in the breasts 
of the Americans. They were now emu- 
lous to second the efforts of a general, who 
had so nobly effected their defence: men of 
energy and influence were dispatched in all 
directions to rouse the militia, and about four- 
teen hundred of the American troops, whose 
engagement was nearly expired, agreed to 
serve six weeks longer for a gratuity of ten 
dollars to each. 

When the Hessian prisoners were secured, 
Washington again crossed the Delaware, and 
took possession of Trenton. Several de- 



106 THE LIFE OF 

tachments of the British assembled at Prince- 
ton, when they were joined by the army 
from Brunswick, commanded by Lord Corn- 
wallis. This general now marched to Tren- 
ton, and attacked the Americans on the 2d 
of January, 1777, at four o'clock in the af- 
ternoon. The van -guard of the Americans 
was compelled to retreat, but the pursuing 
enemy was checked by some field-pieces 
which were posted on the opposite bank of 
Sanpink Creek. Thus two armies, on which 
the success or failure of the American revolu- 
tion depended, were crowded into the village 
of Trenton, and only separated by a creek, 
in many places fordable. The British army 
discontinued their operations, and lay on their 
arms in readiness to make another attack 
next morning. Meanwhile Washington or- 
dered the baggage to be silently removed, 
and having left tires and patroles in his camp 
to deceive the enemy, he led his army during 
the obscurity of the night, and by a circuitous 
route reached Princeton. 

Washington had held a council of war 
with his officers, in which this movement had 
been determined on, as the most likely way 
to preserve the city of Philadelphia From be- 
ing captured by the British army. H re di- 
ed Princeton early in the morning, and would 



WASHINGTON. 107 

have surrounded three regiments of British 
infantry that were stationed there, had not a 
detachment that was marching to Trenton 
descried his troops, and dispatched couriers 
to alarm their fellow-soldiers. 

On their approach to Princeton, the cen- 
tre of the Americans was charged by a party 
of the British troops, and compelled to re- 
treat; In this emergency, Washington rode 
forward; he placed himself between his fly- 
ing troops and the enemy. The Americans, 
encouraged by his exhortations and example, 
rallied and attacked the British in turn: and 
though Washington was for some moments 
between two fires, he providentially escaped 
without a wound. During this contest, the 
British troops displa)ed the most invincible 
valour. One of the three regiments, com- 
manded by CoJ. Mawhood, undismayed by 
the superiority of the Americans in point of 
numbers, charged them with their bayonets, 
forced their way through their ranks, and 
marched forward to Maidenhead ; the other 
two regiments retired' in excellent order, and 
retreated to Brunswick. 

1 he British general was so much discon- 
certed at these unexpected manoeuvres of 
Washington, that he evacuated Trenton, 
and retired with his whole force to Bruns- 
wick. 



108 THE LIFE OF 

Thus, in the space of a month, all that part 
of Jersey which lies between Brunswick and 
Delaware, \* as overrun by the British troops, 
and recovered by the Americans. Wash- 
ington stationed troops in all the important 
places which he had regained, and the cam- 
paign of 1776 closed, with few advantages 
to the British arms; except the acquisition of 
of New- York. 

During these hostile operations, both ar- 
mies had suffered great hardships. Many of 
the American soldiers were destitute of shoes, 
and their naked feet were often wounded by 
the inequalities of the frozen ground, inso- 
much that their footsteps were marked with 
blood. Their clothing was too slight for the 
rigorous season ; there was scarcely a tent in 
the whole army, yet so enthusiastically were 
they attached to their general, that they un- 
derwent those hardships without repining. — 
Washington merited this generous confi- 
dence ; his benignity to his troops, the cheer- 
fulness with which he participated in their in- 
conveniencies and dangers, and the heroism 
which he displayed in the heat of action, 
commanded their veneration. In the actions 
at Trenton and Princeton, he united the stra- 
tagem of Ilanni .a] with the intrepidity of 
Cgesar; while his success animated the hope$, 



WASHINGTON. 109 

and roused the energies, of the friends of 
American independence. 

In the month of March, 1777, General 
Howe sent a party of five hundred men, un- 
der Colonel Bird, who destroyed the Ameri- 
can stores at Peekskill, about fifty miles from 
New- York. Washington had in vain cau- 
tioned the commissaries not to collect lar"-e 
quantities of provisions in places accessible to 
shipping ; but they neglected his prudent ad- 
vice, and discovered their error when too 
late. Soon after this incursion, Gen. Tryon 
embarked at New- York with a detachment 
of two thousand men to destroy the stores at 
Danbury, in Connecticut. The British ac- 
complished their object, but it cost them 
dear, for they were attacked by the Ameri- 
cans, who harrassed them in their retreat to 
the ships. 

Though the spring was now far advanced, 
the British army was prevented from taking 
the field, through the want of camp equip- 
age. This delay gave Washington leisure 
to make the requisite preparations for the 
ensuing campaign. 

Though vested with extraordinary powers 
to raise troops, he found it very difficult to 
keep those he had, together. A few were 
influenced by the persuasion of their officers, 



110 THE LIFE OF 

to remain and defend the common cause, 
but the major part of the army were induced 
to serve, by their attachment to their general. 
Indeed, the high estimation in which he was 
held by his countrymen, was of the greatest 
efficacy on many occasions, and now it ab- 
solutely prevented the troops from disband- 
ing themselves. 

The recruits supplied by the several pro- 
vinces, fell short of the intended number; 
yet, while the British troops were detained at 
New-York, Washington received numerous 
reinforcements. He now moved from his 
winter encampment at Morristown, to the 
highlands around Middle-Brook, in the vi- 
cinity of Brunswick. In this strong posi- 
tion, he threw up works along the front of his 
lines, but his principal advantage was the 
difficulty to approach his camp, the ground 
being so judiciously occupied as to expose 
the enemy to every kind of danger in an at- 
tack. On the one side he covered the Jer- 
sies, and on the other he observed the mo- 
tions of the British army at Brunswick, of 
icb he commanded a full prospect. 

Many stratagems were employed by the 

British general to draw Washington from 

this strong situation, but without effect, so 

that it was found necessary to make an at- 

pt on Philadelphia by sea. 



WASHINGTON. j]/ 

On the 23d of July the British fleet sailed 
from Sandy Hook with thirty-six battalions of 
British and Hessian infantry, a regiment of 
Jight dragoons, and a corps of American loy- 
alists on board. After a tedious navigation, 
the fleet entered Chesapeak Bay, and was 
conducted as far up the river Elk as was prac- 
ticable. Here the army landed without op- 
position on the 25th of August. Part of the 
troops was left to guard the stores, while 
General Howe proceeded with the maia 
body to the head of the Elk. 

When Washington received the informa 
tion that the British fleet had sailed up the 
Chesapeak, he marched with all possible 

expedition to the defence of Philadelphia. 

His army, amounting to fourteen thousand. 
passed through that city to meet the British 

forces, which consisted of fifteen thousand. 

He encamped on the Brandy wine Creek, 
about midway from the Elk to Philadelphia, 
and sent detachments to harrass the British 
army on their march. 

On the approach of the enemy, Washing- 
ton retired to the side of the Creek, next 
Philadelphia, with a determination to dispute 
the passage. On the 1 1th of September, 
♦he royal army advanced to the attack at day 
break, and after a well contested battle, 



W2 THE LIFE 01- 

which lasted till night, the Americans were 
defeated with the loss of one thousand killed 
and wounded, besides four hundred taken 
prisoners. On the side of the conquerors, 
the loss did not exceed five hundred. The 
victory was so complete, that darkness alone 
prevented the pursuit, and consequent des- 
truction or capture of the whole provincial 
army. The greatest valour had been dis- 
played by the officers and soldiers on both 
sides. Among the American troops who 
distinguished themselves most, were the Vir- 
ginians, who, from their affection to Wash- 
ington, had, on all occasions, evinced the 
greatest intrepidity and enthusiasm. 

Immediately after the battle, the Ameri- 
cans retired to Chester, whence Washington 
wrote an account of his defeat to the Presi- 
dent of Congress. His letter is dated at 
twelve o'clock at night, and is, perhaps, the 
most faithful picture ever given of the reflec- 
tions of a great mind amid disaster and diffi- 
culty. His troops, though defeated, were 
not dispirited, and they considered their mis- 
fortune rather as the consequence of superior 
skill on the side of their enemies, than as pro- 
ceeding from any defect of valour on theirs. 

General Howe continued his march to 
Philadelphia, while Washington retired to- 



WASHINGTON. US 

wards Lancaster, an inland town at consider- 
able distance from that city. When the Bri- 
tish general was apprised of this movement, 
he advanced with a determination to compel 
him to another action, but a heavy fall of rain 
prevented him, and enabled the provincials 
to avoid the danger. 

Meanwhile, Washington posted several 
detachments in such a manner as to com- 
mand all the roads to the British encamp- 
ment. An ambuscade, consisting of fifteen 
hundred men, commanded by Gen. Wayne, 
lay concealed in the depth of a forest that 
stood at a small distance, in the rear of the 
British camp. When Gen. Howe received 
intelligence of this ambuscade, he dispatched 
Gen. Grey with a party to surprise it. This 
enterprise was conducted with singular ad- 
dress and intrepidity. The General ordered 
his men not to fire a single shot ; he advan- 
ced in silence to the out-posts of the enemy, 
which were secured without noise. It w ? as 
now between tw 7 elve and one ; the main 
body were retired to rest. On the approach 
of the British, however, they were alarmed, 
ran to arms, and incautiously paraded in the 
light of their fires, by which they were ex- 
posed to the enemy. The British party rush- 
ed upon them with their bayonets, and klU 
K 2 



114 THE LIFE OF 

and wounded three hundred, with the loss 
of only eight men. Darkness favoured the 
escape of the rest, but they lost almost the 
whole of their arms and baggage. 

Congress, which had returned from Balti- 
more to Philadelphia, were now obliged to 
retire a second time. They went first to 
Lancaster, and afterwards to York -Town. 

General Howe, at the head of the van- 
guard ot his army, entered Philadelphia in 
triumph on the 26th of September, and the 
main body of the British army encamped in 
the vicinity of that city. The American ar- 
my was posted at Skippatch Creek, sixteen 
miles distant. When Washington received 
intelligence that the British army was divi- 
ded, he resolved to surprise the camp of the 
principal division at German-Town. Ac- 
cordingly, on the 3d of October, in the even- 
ing, he marched in great silence, and about 
three o'clock in the morning he reached the 
British camp, and immediately made the re- 
quisite dispositions for an attack. The pa- 
troles discovered his approach, and the troops 
were called to arms. 

The Americans assailed the camp with the 
greatest intrepidity, but they were received 
with such bravery, that after a very hot ac- 
tion, they were repulsed, and compelled to 
retreat with considerable loss. 



WASHINGTON. 115 

When the news that Philadelphia was in 
the possession of the royal army reached the 
northern colonies, they sent a reinforcement 
of four thousand of their best men to Wash- 
ington. On their arrival, he advanced with- 
in fourteen miles of the city, and fixed him- 
self in a strong entrenchment at White- 
Marsh. The British general marched out of 
Philadelphia in the beginning oi December, 
to afford Washington an opportunity of com- 
ing to a general engagement ; but he was 
determined to act merely on the defensive. 
Finding that he could not provoke the ene- 
my to engage, General Howe returned to 
the city on the 8rh of December, and his ar- 
my went into winter quarters. 

Washington now removed his camp to 
Valley Forge, on the banks of the Schuylkill, 
about fifteen miles from Philadelphia. In 
this strong position, he could observe every 
motion of the British army. Huts were 
erected, in order to protect his army from the 
rigour of winter. The willingness with 
which the troops consented to undergo the 
various hardships of so uncomfortable a situa- 
tion, was a proof of the warmth of their at- 
tachment to their general, and their determi- 
nation to defend their country. 

While the British army were thus success- 
ful in the middle states, more importaut and 



116 THE LIFE OF 

decisive events happened in the northern 
provinces. General Burgoyne was sent at 
the head of a veteran army, to make a vigor- 
ous campaign upon the Lakes, and the ad- 
joining provinces. He first took possession 
of Ticonderoga, then crossed Lake George, 
and encamped on the banks of Hudson, near 
Saratoga. Here his progress was checked by 
the Americans under General Gates ; and, 
after two severe actions, he was breed to 
surrender on the 17th October, 1777. This 
event diffused an universal joy throughout the 
United States. The European nations, and 
French in particular, who, from prejudice or 
envy, had so long been desirous of the down- 
fall of British grandeur, received this news 
with open exultation. Indeed, several indi- 
viduals in France had exerted themsemselves 
in favour of the Americans. A number of 
brave and experienced officers of the Irish 
brigade, volunteered in the c ause of the Bri- 
tish colonists against their parent state ; and 
even some of the young nobility of France 
were emulous to distinguish themselves on 
this occasion. The most conspicuous of these 
were the Marquis de la Fayette ; Roche du 
Fermoy, who served in the army that acted 
against General Burgoyne ; De Coudray, a 
French officer of rank, who was drowned in 
the Schuvlkill ; and Baron St. Ovary. 



WASHINGTON. 117 

M. de la Fayette at the age of nineteen, 
espoused the American cause. He was in- 
cited by that enthusiastic ardour which arises 
from a liberal education, native generosity of 
sentiment, and a passion for glory. In the 
beginning of the year 1777, when the affairs 
of the United States were in the greatest dis- 
order, he fitted out a frigate at his own ex- 
pence, and set sail for America, accompanied 
by some officers who had been engaged by 
the agents of Congress. 

He landed at Charleston in April, and re- 
paired to Philadelphia, when he presented 
himself before Congress, and told them he 
had come to request two favours. The first 
was, " that he might be permitted to serve 
in their army as a common soldier ; and the 
second, " that he might receive no pay." — 
Congress conferred on him the rank of ma- 
jor-general. When he joined the American 
army, Washington, who perceived in his 
modest cofidence the presage of his future re- 
putation, treated him with the greatest po- 
liteness, and supplied him with the accom- 
modations suitable to his rank. At the battle 
of Brandywine, where La Fayette behaved 
with the greatest gallantry, his brigade was 
repulsed, and he received a dangerous wound 
in the thigh. 



118 THE LIFE OF 

He was afterwards sent to join General 
Greene, in New-Jersey, and obtained the 
command of a corps of militia to reconnoitre 
the enemy. On his march, he fell in with a 
detachment of Hessians, whom he defeated. 
Though La Fayette served as a volunteer, yet 
it appears from the following extract of a let- 
ter, dated November the 1st, 1777, from- 
Washington to the President of Congress, 
that the young Frenchman was ambitious to 
obtain the command of a division. " I feel 
myself in a delicate situation with respect to 
the Marquis de la Fayette. He is extreme- 
ly solicitous of having a command equal to 
his rank, and professes very different ideas as 
to the purpose of his appointment, from those 
Congress have mentioned to me : he cer- 
tainly did not understand them. I do not 
know in what light they will view the mat- 
ter ; but it appears to me, from a considera- 
tion of his illustrious and important connec- 
tions, the attachment he has manifested for 
our cause, and the consequences which his re- 
turn in disgust might produce, that it will be 
advisable to gratify him in his wishes ; and 
the more so, as several gentlemen from 
France, who came over under some assuran- 
ces, have gone back disappointed heir 
expectations. His conduct with respect to 



WASHINGTON. 119. 

tthem, stands in a favourable point of view, 
|having interested himself to remove their un- 
easiness, and urged the impropriety of their 
making any unfavourable representations 
upon their arrival at home, and in all his let- 
ters he has placed our affairs in the best sit- 
uation he could. Besides, he is sensible, 
discreet in his manners, has made great pro- 
ficiency in our language ; and, from the dis- 
position he discovered at the battle of Bran- 
dywine, possesses a large share of bravery 
and military ardour." This letter had the 
desired effect ; and the subsequent conduct 
of La Fayette justified the recommendation 
of his friend. 

When France acknowledged the indepen- 
dence of the United States, M. La Fayette 
returned home to procure aid for the Ameri- 
cans. Fie was received by his countrymen 
with applause; but as soon as he obtained 
the object of his voyage, he again set sail for 
America. 

In the subsequent campaign, he distin- 
guished himself by several brilliant atchiev- 
mejhts, and was instrumental to the capture 
of the British under Lord Cornwallis. Soon 
after that event he returned to France. His 
integrity and abilities were evinced in the 
beginning of the French revolution , and his 



120 THE LIFE OF 

misfortunes since have excited the sympathy 
of every generous mind. During his impri- 
sonment in the castle of Olmutz, Washing- 
ton, with the munificence of a true friend, 
sent him ^£1000 as a present. 

The state of Pennsylvania, as a monument 
of gratitude for the services of this distin- 
guished hero, has called a particular tract of 
land Fayette ; and the state of Virginia 
has testified a high sense of his merit by a 
marble bust, with appropriate inscriptions. 

By the assistance of these auxiliaries, the 
Americans daily improved in discipline, and 
the successful close of the campaign on the 
frontiers of Canada, cheered them with the 
pleasing expectations respecting the issue of 
the war. 

On the 6th of February, 1778, a treaty of 
alliance between France and America was 
signed by the contracting parties. Wash- 
ington appointed a day for the whole army 
to celebrate this event; and it was observed 
with the greatest military pomp. 

In May, General 1 [owe took his departure 
for England, and the chief command of the 
British army devolved on Sir Henry Clinton. 

The English commissioners appointed by 
the British minis y, to attempt a reconcilia- 
tion with the colonists, arrived at New- York 



WASHINGTON. 121 

m the beginning of June ; but before they 
could receive an answer from Congress, Gen, 
CJinton evacuated Philadelphia, after the 
British army had kept possession of it for nine 
months. This event took place on the 18th 
of June ; and it was considered by the 
Americans as the harbinger of their indepen- 
dence. They asserted, that the strength of 
Britain was broken on the American conti- 
nent ; and that the army retreated towards 
the sea, to be in readiness to embark if the 
exigencies of Britain required its assistance. 

The British army marched out of Phila- 
delphia at three o'clock in the morning, and 
crossed the Delaware before noon, with all 
its baggage. 

Washington had been apprised of this 
movement, and dispatched expressesses into 
the Jerseys to collect troops. . He passed the 
Delaware with the main body of his army, 
and was hourly joined by reinforcements of 
regular troops and militia. 

General Clinton retreated across the coun- 
try towards Sandy Hook, whence a passage 
to New-York might be easily effected. In 
the meantime, Washington pursued the Bri- 
tish army, he sent the Marquis de la Fayette 
with a detachment of chosen troops to bar- 
rass the rear of the enemy; General Lee, 

L 



122 THE LIFE OF ? 

who had lately been exchanged, followed 
with a division to support him; and Wash- 
ington himself moved with the main body to 
sustain the whole. 

On the 27th of June, the British army en- 
camped in a strong position at Monmouth, 
near Freehold ; and, on the morning of the 
28th, the van-division of the Americans, un- 
der Gen. Lee, commenced the attack by a 
severe cannonade ; but Sir Henry Clinton, 
had made such judicious arrangements of his 
troops, that the enemy were unable to make 
any impression on his rear. The British 
grenadiers and light infantry engaged the 
Americans with such vigour that their first 
line, commanded by General Lee, was com- 
pletely broken ; their second line was also 
defeated; they both rallied, however, and 
posted themselves with a morass in their 
front. They were again charged by the Bri- 
tish troops, and were with difficulty preserv- 
ed from a total defeat by the junction of their 
main body under Washington. 

In this action, the bravery and discipline 
of the British troops was conspicuous. They 
had forced an enemy superior in number 
from two strong positions, and had endured 
excessive fatigue both from the intense heat 
of ':: e day and unremitting toil. The loss 



WASHINGTON. 123 

©f the royal army was about three hundred 
men, and that of the Americans much more 
considerable. 

, The conduct of Washington on this occa- 
sion was highly praise-worthy. His timelv 
interposition with the main body had pre. 
served his army from being entirely cut off, 
and by his subsequent movements, he placed 
it so advantageously, as to secure it from an 
attack. Confiding in superiority of numbers, 
he now resolved to act offensively : his troops 
lay on their arms in the field, and he reposed 
himself in his cloak under a tree, that he 
might be ready to renew the action next 
morning. He was disappointed en rinding 
that the British troops had resumed their 
march during the nighr. On their arrival at 
Sandy Hook, they embarked on board the 
fleet, and soon afterwards arrived at New- 
York. 

General Lee, who commanded the van- 
division of the American army in the action 
at Monmouth, was, in consequence of his 
misconduct, put under arrest, tried by a court 
martial, and sentenced to a temporary sus- 
pension from his command. 

Charles Lee was the third son of John 
Lee, Esquire, of Dernhall, in the county of 
Chester. This gentleman was a colonel oi ; 



124 THE LIFE OF 

a regiment of infantry, and his son Charles 
was an officer at eleven years of age, he may 
be considered as born in the army, From 
his early youth he was ardent in the pursuit 
of knowledge, and his fondness for travel 
gave him an opportunity of obtaining several 
languages. 

Tactics, however, became his favourite 
Study. He was appointed captain of a com- 
pany of grenadiers in the 44th regiment, and 
was at the battle of Ticonderoga, where 
General Abercrombie was defeated. In the 
year 1762, he bore a Colonel's commission, 
and served under General Burgoyne in Por- 
tugal. 

During the years 1771, 1772, and to the 
beginning of autumn, 1773, he travelled 
over the principal parts of the continent of 
Europe. On his return to London, in Au- 
gust, 1773, he embarked on board the pack- 
et for New- York, where he arrived the lOth 
of November following. 

As Lee had ever professed himself a friend 
of America, he was received with enthusiasm 
by the most active political characters in that 
country. He now blazed forth a w T hig of 
the first magnitude ; his company and cor- 
respondence were courted ; many ingenious 
political pieces, the production of his pen 3 



WASHINGTON. 125 

were much admired ; and, from his populari- 
ty, he looked forward in expectation of be- 
ing advanced to the first military rank. 

On the 21st of June, 1775, having receiv- 
ed a commission of the rank of major gen- 
eral from Congress, he accompanied Wash- 
ington to the camp at Cambridge. General 
Lee served in this and the subsequent cam- 
paign with distinguished activity, zeal, and 
valour, till, on the 13th of December, 1776, 
he was surprised and captured by a party of 
British light-horse. He remained a prisoner 
of war till the capture of General Burgoyne 
at Saratoga, when he was exchanged. The 
battle of Monmouth terminated his military 
career. In consequence of his behaviour at 
this action, he was tried at Brunswick, on the 
4th of Julv following. The charges against 
him were, 

" 1st. For disobedience of orders in not 
attacking the enemy on the 28th of June, 
agreeable to repeated instructions. 

" 2ndiy. For niisbehavour before the ene- 
my on the same day, by making an unneces- 
sary, disorderly, and shameful retreat. 

" Sdly. For disrespect to the commander 
in chief in two letters, dated the 28th ' 
June, and 1st of Julv." 



126 iHE LIFE OF 

Lee was found guilty, and sentenced to be 
suspended from any command in the army 
of the United States for one year. He re- 
tired to his plantation in Berkely county, 
Virginia, where he gave vent to the bitterness 
of his feelings, bywriting " Queries, Politi- 
cal and Military." 

He now lived in a style peculiar to him- 
self; his house was more like a barn than a 
palace ; but a few select and valuable books 
assuaged the anguish of his ardent mind. — 
In the year 1782, he came to a determination 
to sell his estate, and settle near some sea- 
port town, where he might renew his inter- 
course with mankind. He left Berkely, 
came to Baltimore, where he spent a week 
with a few old friends ; he then proceeded to 
Philadelphia. 

On his arrival in that city, he took lodg- 
ings at an inn, where, at the end of four days, 
he was seized with a fever, which terminat- 
ed his life on the 2d of October, 1782. — 
During his delirium, he expressed several in- 
coherent sentences ; and his last words were, 
41 Stand by me, my brave grenadiers." 

His funeral was attended by a large con- 
course o\ people, the clergy of different de- 
nominations, and several persons of distinc- 
tion. 



WASHINGTON. 127 

Charles Lee was well informed, above the 
middle size, and his remarkable aquiline nose, 
rendered his face somewhat disagreeable. — 
He was eccentric in his manners, rather lax 
in his morals, witty, brave, and an enthusias- 
tic admirer of liberty. His envy of the pre- 
eminence of Washington was the cause of 
his disgrace, and his life affords another proof, 
that the most brilliant talents are like fi minine 
beauty — only valuable while guided by pru- 
dence. 

His will contains the following curious 
item — " I desire most earnestly that 1 may 
not be buried in any church or church-yard, 
or within a mile of any Presbyterian or Ana- 
baptist meeting-house ; for, since I have re- 
sided in this country, I have kept so much 
bad company when living, that I do not 
chuse to continue it when dead." 

Count d'Estaigne, who had sailed from 
Toulon with twelve sail of the line and three 
frigates, with six thousand soldiers on board, 
arrived on the coast of Virginia in the begin- 
ning of July. In August, General Sullivan 
made an unsuccessful attempt to take posses- 
sion of Rhode-Island. 

In the meantime, Colonel Campbell was 
sent on an expedition against Georgia. He 
embarked at New- York, with a competent 



128 THE LIFE OF 

force, under convoy of a British squadron, 
commanded by commodore Parker. This 
fleet arrived at the entrance of the river Sa- 
vannah, about the end of December; the 
troops were landed, and, after defeating the 
Americans, they took possession of the capi- 
tal of the province, together with its fort, its 
military stores, and all the shipping that lay in 
the river. 

Washington, after the retreat of the British 
army, marched to White Plains, near Kings- 
Bridge, where he encamped. He remained 
in this position till the latter end of autumn, 
when he retired to Middlebrook, in Jersey. 
Here his army erected huts similar to those 
they hed made at Valley Forge, and went 
into winter quarters. 

In May, 1779, General Clinton sent a 
division of the British army to take Stoney- 
Point, a strong fort on the western side o) the 
North River. This expedition was success- 
ful, as the distance to which Washington lay 
xvith his army prevented him from giving any 
assistance to the garrison. The British gen- 
eral fortified Stoney Point in the strongest 
manner, and encamped at Philiipsburgh, half 
way between that fortress and New -York, 
to be in readiness to compel Washington to 
an engagement, if he should leave his station 
in Jersey. 



WASHINGTON". 129 

In order to counteract these operations, 
Washington advanced towards the British 
army. He took a strong position at West- 
Point, oh the banks of the North River, and 
formed a design to recover Stoney Point by 
surprise. He sent General Wayne, one of 
the most intrepid officers in his army, to con- 
duct this enterprise. Wayne, at the head of 
a detachment of chosen men, arrived in the 
evening of the 15th of July within sight of 
Stoney Point. He formed his men in two 
columns, with orders to use the bayonet only. 
The right column was commanded by him- 
self in person, the left by Major See wart, a 
bold and active man. At midnight the two 
columns marched to the attack on the oppo- 
site sides of the works, which were surround- 
ed with a morass and two rows of abbatis, 
well provided with artillery. The Ameri- 
cans were opposed by a tremendous fire of 
musquetry and grape shot, but they pressed 
forward with the bayonet, and both columns 
met in the centre of the works, where the 
garrison, amounting to five hundred men, 
were obliged to surrender prisoners of war. 

When the British general received intelli- 
gence of the surprise of Stoney Point, he 
marched with his army to retake it, and as 
Washington did not consider the posession 



130 THE LIFE OF 

of that fortress of sufficient importance to 
risque a general action, he demolished as 
much of the works as time would permk, 
and carried off the artillery. The British 
troops retook it three days after it was sur- 
prised. 

During these transactions in the province 
of New- York, Governor Tryon, and Sir 
George Collier, made an incursion into Con- 
necticut ; where they burnt the towns of 
Fairfield and Norwalk, and destroyed a num- 
ber of shipping. 

Washington was unable to prevent these 
devastations. He was obliged to keep pos- 
session of West-Point, in order to protect the 
middle colonies, and this post was considered 
of such importance, that General Parsons, 
instead of pressing the commander in chief 
for a large detachment, wrote to him as fol- 
lows : Ci The British may probably distress 
the country exceedingly, by the ravages they 
will commit 5 but I would rather see all the 
towns on the coast of my country in flames, 
than that the enemy should possess West 
Point." At this important position, Wash- 
ington fixed his winter quarters, and the Bri- 
tish general turned his attention to the con- 
quest of the southern colonies. 

Towards the end of the year 1779, Gen. 
Clinton sailed from New-York with a consi- 



WASHINGTON. 131 

derable body of troops to attack Charleston, 
South-Carolina, where General Lincoln com- 
manded. After a close siege of six weeks, 
the town surrendered to the British general, 
and the whole American garrison made pri- 
soners. 

In August, 1780, General Gates was in 
North Carolina to take the command of the 
southern army. In the second week of Au- 
gust, Earl Cornwallis having received intelli- 
gence at Charleston, that Gates was advan- 
cing with his army, and that Sumpter was 
e. deatfouring to cut oft the communication 
between that city and the army ; that the 
whole country between the Pedee and the 
Black River had revolted ; and that Lord 
Xtawdon was collecting his whole force at 
Camden — he immddiately set off for that 
place. On his arrival he had no small diffi- 
culties to encounter. Gates was at hand 
with a great superiority of force ; and the 
position of Camden, convenient in other res- 
pects, was a bad situation for an attack. He 
could indeed have made good his retreat to 
Charleston, but he must have left eight hun- 
dred sick men and a vast quantity or. valua- 
ble stores to fall into the hands of the pro- 
vincials. He likewise Foresaw, that except- 
ing Charleston and Savannah, a retreat would 



132 THE LIFE OF 

occasion the loss of the two provinces of 
Carolina and Georgia. In his own words, 
there was " Jittle to lose by a defeat, and 
much to gain by a victory." The intelligence 
which he had received that General Gates 
was encamped in a bad situation at Clermont 
about thirteen miles from Camden, no doubt 
confirmed his determination. Fie accord- 
ingly marched from Camden about 10 o'clock 
at night with an intention to surprise Gen. 
Gates; and making his dispositions in such 
a manner, as that his best troops and greatest 
force should be directed against the continen- 
tal regiments, laying little stress on the mili- 
tia, if these were sufficiently provided against. 
It was very singular that the very same 
hour at which Lord Cornwallis set out from 
Camden to surprise General Gates, that gen- 
eral, ignorant of Cornwallis' arrival at Cam- 
den, should set out from Clermont to surprise 
him. About half an hour after two in the 
morning, the advanced parties of both armies 
met in the woods, and a firing commenced. 
Some of the cavalry of Armand's legion, 
wounded by the first fire of the enemy, threw 
others into disorder, and the whole recoiled 
so suddenly, that the first Maryland regiment, 
in the front of the column, was broken, and 
the whole line of the army thrown into a 



WASHINGTON. 133 

general consternation. This first impression 
struck deep. The light infantry, however, 
executed their orders ; particularly those un- 
der Colonel Pottersfield, who behaved with 
such spirit, that the enemy were no less sur 
prised at this unexpected meeting. A few 
prisoners were taken on both sides, by whose 
information the respective commanders de- 
rived a knowledge of circumstances, of 
which both till then were ignorant. Colonel 
Pottersfield, in whose abilities and activity 
Gates had placed great dependence, received 
a musket ball which shattered the bones of 
his leg, in this first encounter. The Ameri- 
can army soon recovered its order. Corn- 
wallis also kept his ground ; and frequent 
skirmishes ensued, with scarcely any other 
effect than to discover the situation of the 
armies, to evince the intention of the gener- 
als, and to serve as a prelude to what was to 
occur in the morning. 

The action began at break of day, in a sit- 
uation very advantageous for the British 
troops, but very unfavourable to the Ameri- 
cans. The latter were much more numer- 
ous ; but the ground on which both armies 
stood was narrowed by swamps on the right 
and left, so that the Americans could not 
properly avail themselves of their superior 
numbers. 

M 



134 THE LIFE OF 

The attack was made by the British troops 
with great vigour, and in a few minutes the 
action was general along the whe') line. It 
was at this time a dead calm, with a little 
haziness in the air, which, preventing the 
smoke from rising, occasioned so thick a 
darkness, that it was difficult to see the effect 
of a very heavy and well-supported fire on 
both sides. The British troops either kept 
up a constant fire, or made use of bayonets, 
as opportunities offered > and after an obsti- 
nate resistance of three quarters of an hour, 
threw the Americans into total confusion, 
and forced them to give way in all quarters. 
The continental troops behaved remarkably 
well, but the militia were soon broken, and 
left the former to oppose the whole force of 
the British troops. General Gates did all in 
his power to rally the militia, but without ef- 
fect : the continentals retreated in some or- 
der ; but the rout of the militia was so great, 
that the British cavalry are said to have con- 
d the pursuit of them to the distance of 
twenty-two miles from the place where the 
action happened; The loss of the Ameri- 
dans was very considerable ; about one thou- 
sand prisoners were taken, and more are 
said to have been killed and wounded, but 
ber is not very accurately ascertain* 



WASHINGTON. 

ed. Eight pieces of brass cannon, two thou- 
sand stand of arms, a number of colours, 
and all t i ammunition waggons of the 
Americans, were also taken. Of the British 
troops, the killed and wounded amounted to 
three hundred and twenty-four. Among the 
prisoners taken was major-general Baron I)e 
Kalb, who was mortally wounded, having 
exhibited great gallantry in the course of the 
action, and received eleven wounds. Be- 
sides Baron De Kalb, the Americans lost se- 
veral other officers, among whom were Bri- 
gadier-General Gregory killed, and General 
Rutherford taken. The British troops bv 
which this victory was atchieved, did not 
much exceed two thousand, while the Ameri- 
can army is said to have amounted to six 
thousand ; of which, however, the greatest 
part was militia. 

During the summer of 1780, the, British 
troops made frequent incursions from New- 
York into the Jersies, and an unsuccessful 
attempt was made by General Knyphausen, 
with seven thousand men, to surprise the ad- 
vanced posts of Washington's army. So 
great were the necessities of the American 
army, that Washington was obliged to call 
on the magistrates of the adjacent counties 
for specified quantities of provisions ; qav, 



136 THE LIFE OF 

he was sometimes compelled t© send detach- 
merits of his troops to take necessaries at the 
point of the bayonet from the citizens. This 
scarcity was principally owing to the depre- 
ciation of the paper currency, which discour- 
aged the farmers from selling their provisions 
to hie army. The situation of Washington 
was peculiarly embarrassing, the army look- 
ed to him for necessaries, and the people for 
the protection of their property. His pru- 
dence surmounted these difficulties; and 
Congress sent a committee of their own body 
to his camp, to concert measures for the pay- 
ment and supply of the troops. As the at- 
tempt of the British army at New-York 
against Washington had made no impression 
of consequence, the Americans began to re- 
cover from the alarm which the loss of 
Charleston had excited. Warm exhortations 
were made to the people by Congress, in 
which they were called upon by every mo- 
tive that could animate them to act with 
spirit and promptitude against Great Britain. 
The leading nun had recourse to another 
exoedient to rouse the people. They open- 
ed a subscription for the relief of the private 
soldiers in the American army, and for the 
augmentation of their pay. This fund was 
patronised in a very liberal manner, by Mrs, 



WASHINGTON. 137 

Washington. That amiable woman, who 
sometimes visited her husband at camp, had 
been an eye-witness to the deficiency both of 
food and cloathing in the army ; she sympa- 
thised with those brave men, and by her ex- 
ertions and example, large donations were 
subscribed by all the women in the United 
States. The citizens of Philadelphia sub- 
scribed three hundred thousand dollars in a 
few days for the relief of the troops. By 
these exertions, the patriotic ardour of the 
army was revived, and still further invigora- 
ted by the arrival of succours from France at 
Rhode-Island on the 11th of July, 1780. — 
They consisted of seven ships of the line, and 
four frigates, besides armed vessels and trans- 
ports, commanded by the Chevalier de Ter- 
nay, with an army of five regiments of the 
best troops of France, and a battalion of ar- 
tillery under Count De Rochambeau. 

The arrival of the French troops occasion- 
ed a remarkable circumstance in Washing- 
ton's camp, Hitherto the Americans had 
worn blue cockades ; but their general now 
ordered them to wear blue and white, inter 
mixed, to denote the alliance of the French 
and American nations. 

Admiral Arbuthnot now proceeded with 
the British fleet frorri New-York to Rhi 

M 'J 



13S THE LIFE OF 

Island, and so completely blocked up the 
French fleet and army as to prevent their 
co-operation with the Americans. In the 
meantime, Sir Henry Clinton returned with 
his victorious army from Charleston, and 
General Arnold, who had been entrusted 
with the command of a very considerable di- 
vision of the American army at West Point, 
agreed to deliver up that important post to 
the Uritish general. As Washington had set 
out for Hartford to hold a conference with 
Count De Rochambcau, the negociation be- 
tween Sir Henry Clinton and Arnold was 
carried on with the greatest facility during 
his absence. The agent employed by the 
British general was Major Andre, a young 
officer of uncommon merit. To favour the 
necessary communications, the Vulture sloop 
of war had been previously stationed in the 
North River, and a boat was sent at night 
from the shore to fetch Major Andre, which 
brought him to the beach, without the posts 
of either army, where he met Arnold. The 
Major continued with him during the day 
following, and at night, the boatmen refusing 
to conduct him bark to the Vulture, (which 
had shifted her position, as she lay exposed 
to the lire of a cannon sent to annoy her) he 
wa.^ obliged to concert his escape by land,— 



WASHINGTON. 139 

He quitted his uniform, which he had hith- 
erto worn under his surtout, for a common 
coat. He was furnished with a horse, and, 
under the name of John Anderson, received 
a passport from Arnold " to go to the lines 
of White Plains, or lower if he thought pro- 
per, he being on public business." 

He pursued his journey alone towards 
New- York, passed all the guards and posts 
on the road without suspicion, and was much 
elated. The next day he travelled without 
any alarm, and began to consider himself out 
of danger ; but unhappily for him, though 
providentially for America, three of the New- 
York militia were with others on a scouting 
party between the out posts of the two ar- 
mies. One of them sprung from his covert, 
and seized Andre's horse by the bridle. The 
Major, instead of instantly producing his 
pass, asked the man where he belonged to, 
who answered, "To below. " Andre, sus- 
pecting no deceit, said " So do I." Then 
declaring himself a British officer, he pres- 
sed that he might not be detained, being on 
urgent business. Upon the other two com- 
ing up and joining their comrade, he disco- 
vered his mistake. The confusion that fol- 
lowed was apparent, and they proceeded to 
search him till they found his papers. He 



140 THE LIFE OF 

offered the captors a considerable purse of 
gold, and a very valuable watch, to let him 
pass; but they nobly disdained the tempta- 
tion, besides the fascinating offers of perma- 
nent provision, and even of future promotion, 
on condition of their conveying and accom- 
panying him to New- York. Arnold escaped 
on board the Vulture, but Major Andre was 
brought before a board of general officers, by 
whom he was considered as a spy, and sen- 
tenced to death. The officers who signed 
the condemnation of Andre, and even Wash- 
ington himself, testified the sincerest grief at 
the necessity they declared themselves under 
of complying with the rigorous laws esta- 
blished in such cases. 

Though superior to the terrors of death, 
the magnanimous but unfortunate Andre, 
wished to die like a soldier. Accordingly 
he wrote to Washington, who was deeply af- 
fected on the occasion, but did not comply 
with his request. Major Andre walked with 
firmness and the' most dignified composure 
to the place of execution, amid his guard. — 
The way over which he passed was thronged 
by spectators, many of whom could not re- 
frain from tears on beholding a graceful man, 
in the bloom of his years, pass to an untimely 
grave. When he arrived at the fatal spot, 



WASHINGTON. 141 

and beheld the apparatus of death, he ex- 
claimed, " Must I die in this manner ?" — 
Being told it was unavoidable, he replied, 
44 I am reconciled to my fate — but not to the 
mode; it will be a momentary pang• ,, He 
ascended the cart with a serenity of aspect 
that excited the admiration, and melted the 
hearts of all tne spectators. The moment be- 
fore his dissolution, he was asked if he had 
any thing to say ; he answered, " Nothing 
but to request that you will witness to the 
world, that I die like a brave man." 

" Thus fell the young, the lovely and the brave, 
u Strew bays and laurels on his honour* d grave." 

In the whole course of the unnatural con- 
test between Great Britain and the United 
States of America, no event happened which 
excited so universal an emotion as the exe- 
cution of Major Andre. No plea of neces- 
sity or expedience can afford a sufficient pal- 
liation of this severe decision of the Ameri- 
can officers, and the feeling mind must ever 
regret the hard fate of a youthful hero, who 
fell a victim to martial law. 

Arnold, as a reward for his desertion, was 
made brigadier-general in the King's service, 
and published an address to the Americans, 
dated New York, the 7th of October, in 
which he endeavoured to justify his conduct* 



142 THE LIFE OF 

He said, that " when he first engaged in 
their cause, he conceived the rights of his 
country to be in danger, and that duty and 
honor called him to their defence. A re- 
dress of grievances was his only aim, and 
therefore he acquiesced unwillingly in the 
declaration of independence, because he 
thought it precipitate. But what now in- 
duced him to desert their cause was, the dis- 
gust he had conceived at the French alliance, 
and the refusal of Congress to comply with 
the terms offered by Great Britain, which he 
thought equal to all their wishes.'* 

At the close of the year 1780, the American 
army felt the rigour of the season, with pecu- 
liar circumstances of aggravation. The troops 
had been enlisted for three years, which 
were now expired, and incensed at so long a 
continuance -of hardships, an insurrection 
broke out in the Pennsylvania line, which 
was followed by that ot N^w-Jersey. The 
complaints of these soldiers being well found- 
ed, were redressed, and a general amnesty 
closed the business. That part of the Amer- 
ican army which was under the immediate 
command of Washington did not escape the 
contagion of revolt. He prudently remained 
in his quarters, where his presence, and the 
respect and affection for his person, though it 



WASHINGTON. 143 

did not prevent murmurs, kept bis men with- 
in bounds and prevented a mutiny. 

The common soldiers of Pennsylvania were 
principally natives of Ireland, but though 
not bound to America by the tie of birth, 
they had given distinguished proofs of their 
valour on many occasions, in defence of her 
independence. This corps had been enlisted 
for three years or during the war, the time 
w r as expired, and the privates insisted that the 
choice of staying or going remained with 
them, while their officers contended that the 
decision ought to be left to the state. The mu- 
tiny began in the night of the 1st of January, 
1781, and soon became general in the Penn- 
sylvania line. Upon a signal given, the in- 
surgents turned out under arms without their 
officers. They demanded the full arrears of 
their pay, clothing and provisions ; they had 
received none of the two first, and but part of 
the last, and they declared their determination 
to quit the service, unless their grievances 
were fully redressed. Several o\ their officers 
were woilnded. and a captain killed, in their 
endeavors to quell the mutiny. When Gen. 
Wayne, who commanded the troops sta- 
tioned at Morristown, presented his pistols as 
if about to fire on the mutineers, they i eld 
their bayonets to his breast, and exclaimed, 



144 THE LIFE OF 

" We love and respect you, but if you fire, 
you are a dead man man ; we are not going 
to the enemy ; on the contrary, if they were 
now to come out, you should see us fight un- 
der your orders with as much alacrity as ever - 9 
but we will be no longer amused ; we are 
determined on obtaining our just due. " The 
whole body then formed, and to the number 
of thirteen hundred, marched from Morris- 
town, and proceeded in good order with 
their arms and six field pieces, to Princeton. 
Here they elected officers from their own 
body. General Wayne sent provisions after 
them to prevent their plundering the country 
for subsistence ; but they invaded no man's 
property farther than their immediateneces- 
sities rendered indispensable. 

Sir Henry Clinton, by confidential messa- 
ges, offered to take them under the protec- 
tion of the British government, and made 
several proposals that were highly advanta- 
geous. The mutineers, however, to shew 
their adherence to the cause of America, sent 
the British agents to General Wayne, and 
marched from Princeton to Trenton, near 
Philadelohia. The executive council of that 
city, sent a letter to the insurgents, in which 
they promised in the most solemn manner, to 
redress all their grievances. They returned 
a favourable answer, and a committee con- 



WASHINGTON. 145 

listing of several members of Congress, met 
them at Trenton, where all matters were en- 
tirely settled to their satisfaction. President 
Reed offered them a purse of one hundred 
guineas, as a reward for their fidelity in de- 
livering up the spies, but they refused to ac- 
cept it, saying, " That what they had done, 
was only a duty they owed their country, and 
that they neither desired, nor would receive 
any reward, but the approbation of their 
country, for which they had so often fought 
and bled." 

The campaign of 1781, was opened with 
great vigour by the British army in Carolina. 
After several skirmishes, with various suc- 
cesses, the two armies under Lord Comwal- 
lis and General Greene, met at Guildford, on 
the 15th of March, 1781, and after a well 
contested action, the British remained mas- 
ters of the field. Lord Cornwallis afterwards 
marched into Virginia, where, notwithstand- 
ing the advantages he gained over the Amer- 
icans, his situation became very critical. Sir 
Henry Clinton was prevented from sending 
him reinforcements, as he was apprehensive 
that Washington intended to attack New- 
York. The American commander-in-chief 
employed great finesse to deceive the Bri- 
tish General; and by a variety of judi- 

N' 



146 THE l^FT- OF 

cious manoeuvres, kept him in continual 
alarm. 

In the meantime, Lord Cornvvallis took 
possession oi York-Town, in Virginia, and 
he was followed by the Marquis de la Fay- 
ette, who had been dispatched by Washing- 
ton with two thousand light infantry to watch 
the motions of the British army. 

Qn the 30th of August, Count de Grasse 
anchored in Chesapeak Bay, with twenty- 
four ships of the line. 

The combined forces proceeded on their 
way to York-Town, partly by land and partly 
down the Chesapeajc. The whole, together 
with a bodv of Virginia militia under the 
command of General Nelson, amounting in 
the aggregate to twelve thousand men, ren- 
| at Williamsburg on the 25th of 
September, and in five days after, moved 
down to the investiture o( York-Town- — 
The French licet at the same time moved to 
the mouth o\ York River, and took a posi- 
tion which was calculated to prevent I 
ComwaHS either from retreating or receiving 
succours by w ater. Before the army march- 
ed '.'illuimsburg to York-Town, Gen. 
\y, ton gave out in general orders as 

►Hows: ki it the enemy should be tempud 
on its march, the general 



WASHINGTON. 147 

particularly enjoins the troops to place their 
principal reliance on the bayonet, that they 
may prove the vanity of the boast which the 
British make of their peculiar prowess in de- 
ciding battles with that weapon. " 

The combined army halted in the evening, 
about two miles from York-Town, and lay 
on their arms all night. On the next day, 
Colonel Scammell, an officer of great merit, 
was mortally wounded and taken prisoner, 
in approaching the Gut-works of the British. 
About this time, Earl Cornwallis received a 
letter from Sir Henry Clinton, announcing 
the arrival of Admiral Digby with three ships 
of the line from Europe, and the determina- 
tions of the general and fla^ officers in New- 
York to embark five thousand men in a fleer, 
which would probably sail on the 5th of Oc- 
tober' — that this fleet consisted of twenty* 
three sail of the line, and that joint exertions 
of the navy and army would be made for his 
relief. On the night after the receipt of this 
intelligence, Earl Cornwall's quirted his out- 
ward position, and retired to one more in- 
ward. On the 9th and 10th of October, the 
French and Americans opened their batter- 
ies ; and a tremendous roar of cannon and 
mortars was continued for six or eight hours 
without ceasing. Major Cochran was sent 



248 THE LIFE OF 

from New-York on the 3d of October, with 
a duplicate of Sir Henry Clinton's letter.— 
That gallant officer went in a vessel to the 
Capes, and made his way to Earl Cornwallis, 
through the whole French fleet, in ah open 
boat. He got to York-Town on the same 
day the Americans opened their batteries - y 
and soon after his arrival, had his head car- 
lied or! by a cannon ball. On the 10th and 
11th, the shells of the besiegers set on fire 
and burned the Charon, of 44 guns, together 
with a guard ship and a transport. Earl 
Cornwallis, it is said, was advised at thisjunc- 
ture to evacuate York Town, and, alter pas- 
sing over to Gloucester, to force his way into 
the country. But had this movement been 
made, and the royal army been defeated or 
captured in the interior country, and in the 
mean time had Sir Henry Clinton reached 
York-Town with the promised relief, the 
precipitancy of the noble Earl would have 
been perhaps more the subject of censure, 
that his resolution of standing his ground and 
resisting to the last extremity. 

On the 11th, the besiegers commenced 
their second parallel, two hundred yards from 
the works of the besieged. Two redoubts, 
which were advanced on the left of the Bri- 
tish, greatly retarded the progress of the be- 



WASHINGTON. 149 

siegers 5 it was therefore determined to attack 
both at the same hour, on the evening of the 
14th, as soon as it was dark. To accomplish 
their reduction as soon as possible, as well 
as to prevent jealousies, the attack of the one 
was committed to the French, of the other to 
the Americans. Both detachments having 
passed the abbatis and palisades, wirh un- 
loaded muskets, carried them in a few min- 
utes. The Americans had only eight killed 
and twenty-eight wounded ; but the French 
lost a considerable number of men. Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Laurens, son to the former 
President of Congress, took the command- 
ing officer prisoner. His humanity, and that 
of his associates, so overcame their resent- 
ment that they spared the British, though 
they were charged, when they went to. the 
assault, to remember New-London, and to 
retaliate by putting the men in the redoubt 
to the sword. Being asked why they had 
disobeyed orders by bringing them off as 
prisoners, they answered, "Vie could not 
put them to death, when they begged for 
their lives." About five of the British wer- 
killed, and the rest were captured. Colonel 
Hamilton, who conducted the etttejjtfise, in 
his report to the Marquis de la Fayette, men- 
tioned to the honor of his detachment,. i( th •. 
N 2 



150 THE LIFE OF 

incapable of imitating examples of barbari- 
ty, and forgetting recent provocations, they 
spared every man who ceased to resist." 

The British were so weakened by the fire 
of the combined armies, but chiefly by sick- 
ness, that Eari Cornwallis could not venture 
any considerable number in the making of 
sallies. The present emergency, however, 
was such, that he ordered a sortie of about 
four hundred men, under Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Abercrombie. He made the attack with 
such impetuosity, that the redoubts which 
covered the batteries were forced, and eleven 
pieces of cannon spiked. The French troops, 
who guarded that part of the entrenchment, 
suffered considerably. This successful ex- 
ploit did honor to the officers and troops en- 
gaged, but produced no essential benefit. — 
The cannon, being hastily spiked, were again 
rendered serviceable ; and the combined for- 
ces were so industrious, that, about four 
o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, the 
batteries were finished, and fired briskly. — 
Their several batteries were now covered 
with nearly one hundred pieces of heavy ord- 
nance, whilst the British works were so des- 
troyed that they could scarcely shew a single 



gun. 



Lord Cornwallis being now reduced to the 
necessity of preparing for a surrender, or of 



WASHINGTON. 151 

attempting an escape, determined on the lat- 
ter. Boats were prepared under different 
pretences, for the reception of the troops by 
ten at night, in order to pass them over to 
Gloucester Point. The arrangements were 
made with the utmost secrecy. The inten- 
tion was to abandon the baggage, and to 
leave a detachment behind to capitulate for 
the town's people, and for the sick and 
wounded ; his Lordship having already pre- 
pared a letter on the subject, to be delivered 
to General Washington after his departure, 
The first embarkation had arrived at Glouce- 
ster Point, and the greater part of the troops 
were already landed, when the weather, 
which was before moderate and calm, in- 
stantly changed to a most violent storm of 
wind and rain. The boats with the remain- 
ing troops were all driven down the river, 
and the design of passing over was not only 
entirely frustrated, but the absence of the 
boats rendered it impossible to bring back 
the troops from Gloucester. Thus weaken- 
ed and divided, the army was in no small 
danger. However, the boats returned, and 
the troops were brought back in the course 
of the forenoon, with very little loss. 

Things were now hastening to a period 
which could no longer be protracted -, for 



152 THE LIFE OF 

the British works were sinking under the 
weight of the French and American artille- 
ry. AH hojfcs of relief from New-York 
were over, and the strength and spirits of 
the royal arm) were broken down and ex- 
hausted by their constant and unremitting 
fatigue. Matters being in this situation, on 
the 17th of October, Lord Cornwallis sent a 
letter to General Washington, requesting a 
cessation of arms for twenty-four hours, and 
that commissioners might be appointed for 
digesting the terms of capitulation. Com- 
missioners were accordingly appointed ; and 
on the side of the allies were Viscount De 
Noailles, and Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens, 
whose father was in close confinement in 
the Tower of London, whilst the son was 
drawing up articles, by which an English no- 
bleman and a British army became prisoners. 
On the 19th of October, the posts of York 
Town and Gloucester were surrendered. — 
The honour of marching out with colours 
flying, which had been denied to General 
Lincoln, was now refused to Lord Cornwal- 
lis, and Lincoln was appointed to receive the 
submission of the royal army at York Town, 
precisely in the same way his own had been 
conducted, about eighteen months before, at 
Charleston. The troops that surrendered 



WASHINGTON. 1 53 

exceeded seven thousand ; but so great was 
the number of sick and wounded, that there 
were only three thousand eight hundred ca- 
pable of doing duty. The officers and sol- 
diers retained their baggage and effects. Fif- 
teen hundred seamen shared the same fate as 
the garrison. The Guadaloupe frigate, of 
24 guns, and a number of transports, were 
surrendered to the conquerors. About twen- 
ty transports had been sunk or burned during 
the siege, including the ships already men- 
tioned. The lani forces became prisoners 
to Congress ; but the seamen and ships were 
assigned to the French admiral. The Amer- 
icans obtained a fine train of artillery, con- 
sisting of seventy-five brass ordnance, and 
sixty-nine iron cannon, howitzers and mor- 
tars. The regular troops of France and 
America employed in this siege, consisted of 
about seven thousand of the former, and five 
thousand five hundred of the latter; and 
they were assisted by about four thousand 
militia. On the part of the combined army 
about three hundred were killed or wound- 
ed. On the part of the British about five 
hundred ; and seventy were taken in the 
redoubts which were stormed on the 14th of 
October. 

Lord Cornwallis tried to obtain an indem- 
nity for those of the inhabitants who had 



3 54 THE LIFE OF 

joined him ; but he was obliged to consent 
to deliver them up to the unconditional mer- 
cy of their countrymen. His Lordship ne- 
vertheless obtained permission for the Boneta 
sloop of war to pass unexamined to New- 
York. This gave an opportunity of skreen- 
ing such of them as were most obnoxious to 
the Americans. 

A British fleet of twenty-five sail of the 
line, two fifty gun ships, and eight frigates, 
having on board Sir Henry Clinton, with 
seven thousand of his best troops, destined 
for the relief of Lord Cornwallis, arrived off 
the Chesapeak on the fifth day after his sur- 
render ; but on receiving advice of this event, 
they re(urned\to Sandy II ok. And De 
Grasse remained in the Chesapeak till the 
5th of November, when he set sail for the 
West- In dies. 

Washington felt all the honest exultation 
of a patriot at this auspicious event. The 
orders published in his camp, on the 20th of 
October, was strongly expressive of his sa- 
tisfaction. He congratulated the officers and 
soldiers of the combined armies on their suc- 
cess, and issued a general pardon to all per- 
sons in the continental army who were un- 
der arrest, "that every heart might p tr cipate 
the general joy." Nor did he omit what he 



WASHINGTON. 155 

knew would be peculiarly acceptable to the 
religious turn of many ot his countrymen. — 
His orders concluded with a particular in- 
junction, "That a thanksgiving service should 
be performed," at which it was solemnly re- 
commended to the troops to assist with that 
seriousness and sensibibility of heart, which 
the surprising interposition of Providence in 
their favour so justly claimed. 

Washington was solicitous that the prison- 
ers of war should be well treated. By his 
orders they were distributed in the three pro- 
vinces of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsyl- 
vania ; and their allowance of provisions 
was the same as that of the American army. 

Congress voted an address of thanks to 
Washington, Count Rochambeau, Count De 
Grasse, and all the officers and soldiers of the 
combined armies for the services they had 
performed. They also resolved, " That in 
remembrance of the surrender of the British 
army, a marble column should be erected at 
York -Town, Virginia, adorned with emblems 
of the alliance between France and the Uni- 
ted States of America, and inscribed with a 
succinct narrative of the memorable event it 
was intended to commemorate." 

Washington now returned with the princi- 
pal part of his army to the vicinity of New- 



156 THE LIFE OP 

York, where, as he was unable to reduce 
that city, he went into winter quarters. — . 
The only appearance of an existing war were 
some skirmishes and predatory excursions. 

On the 5th of May, 1782, Sir Guy Carle- 
ton arrived at New- York, being appointed 
to command the British army in America.—^ 
Immediately on his arrival, he acquainted* 
Washington and Congress, that negotiations 
for a peace had been commenced at Paris. 
Meanwhile the British troops evacuated all 
their posts in South-Carolina and Georgia, 
and retired to the main army at New-York. 

Preliminary articles of peace were signed 
at Paris, on the 30th of November, 1782, 
by Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr, Oswald, on the 
part of Great Britain, and by Dr. Franklin, 
Mr. Adams, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Lawrence, 
on the part of the United States. By this 
treaty his Majesty acknowledged the Thir- 
teen United Colonies to be " free, sovereign, 
and independent States/* 

Benjamin Franklin, the celebrated Ameri- 
can philosopher, was born at Boston, on the 
17th of January, 1706. In the year 1720, 
he went to Philadelphia, and engaged him- 
self with the only printer then in that city, 
who taught him the typographic art. In 
conjunction with some other young men, 



WASHINGTON. 157- 

Franklin instituted a book society ; its mem- 
bers rapidly increased, and similar establish- 
ments were afterwards formed in Boston^ 
New-York, and Charleston. 

In the year J 725, Franklin went to Eng- 
land, and worked for some time in London, 
as ajourneyman printer .After a residence of 
some years in the metropolis, he returned to 
America, when he commenced business for 
himself in Philadelphia, which he pursued 
with diligence for several years, till he ac- 
quired a fortune, which enabled him to de- 
vote his time to the study of natural philoso- 
phy. In consequence of his curious and 
useful discoveries in electricity, the Royal 
Society of London, on the 30th of Novem- 
ber. 1753, adjudged Sir Godfry Copeley'ti 
medal to Franklin. 

In the year 1758, he paid another visit to 
England, and returned to Philadelphia in 
1762. His stay in America was short, for 
he went back to England in 1764, and con- 
tinued there till the year 1775. 

During his residence in London, he was 
appointed agent for the House of Represen- 
tatives of the province of Massachusetts, and 
in 1773, he presented a petition from that 
body to his Majesty, praying for the removal 
of Governor Hutchinson. 
o 



158 THE LIFE OF 

In January, 1774, Dr. Franklin was ex- 
amined on the subject of this petition before 
the Privy Council, when the committee made 
a report on it, in consequence of which his 
Majesty ordered it to be dismissed the board. 

Dr. Franklin, however, exerted himself to 
the utmost to prevent a breach between 
Great Britain and America-, but finding his 
attempts fruitless, he, in the year 1775, em* 
barked in the Pennsylvania packet, and re- 
turned to Philadelphia. In the autumn of 
1776, he was sent by Congress to Canada^ 
to effect an alliance with that province. He 
was unsuccessful, and on his return he was 
dispatched to France, to finish the negocia- 
tion, which Mr. Dean had conducted in a 
very private manner. 

In February, 1777, Dr. Franklin was ap- 
pointed Plenipotentiary from Congress to the 
Court of France, where, in 1783, he sign- 
ed a treaty of peace with the English com- 
missioners. 

The Dr. acquired the French language af- 
ter he was turned of seventy. During his 
embassy he became the ton, and the ladies, 
for whom he was a strenuous advocate, wore 
hats a-la- Franklin. Jn the year 1778, he 
was visited by Voltaire, who conversed with 
him in English. A gay young lady inter- 



WASHINGTON. 159 

fupted them by saying, that Dr. Franklin 
understood French, and the rest of the com- 
pany were desirous to learn the subject of 
their conversation, r Excuse me, my dear/* 
replied Voltaire, " I have the vanity to shew, 
that I am not unacquainted with the lan- 
guage of a Franklin. " 

He enjoyed a good state of health for ma- 
ny years, but in 1782 he was arBicted with 
the gout and a nephritic cholic. Having ac- 
complished the object of his highest ambition 
by his exertions for the emancipation of his 
country, he solicited Congress for leave to re- 
turn. He embarked at Havre on the 24th 
July, 1785, landed at Southampton, and pro- 
ceeded to Cowes, where a vessel was ready 
to convey him to Philadelphia. 

He arrived in that city on the 1.5th of 
September, and was accompanied to his 
house by the members of Congress, amid 
the acclamations of his fellow- citizens. A 
person who was present, observed, " that he 
never beheld so affecting a scene. " When 
the Doctor stepped ashore, all the people 
exclaimed, " Liberty. " 

He was appointed President of the As- 
sembly of Pennsylvania, but at the expira- 
tion of two years, finding his infirmities in- 
crease, he retired from public business. , 



160 THE LITE OF 

•His death was occasioned by the bursting of 
an imposthume, which had formed itself in 
his lungs, and he expired on the 7th of April, 
1790, in the 85th year of his age. His re- 
mains were interred on the 2 1st, and attended 
to the grave by thirty clergymen, and a mul- 
titude of the citizens of Philadelphia, of all 
ranks, who moved in the greatest order. — 
All the bells in the city were tolled, muffled, 
and their sound was accompanied by a dis- 
charge of artillery. Congress, on this occa- 
sion, ordered a general mourning for one 
month throughout the United Slates ; and 
the National Assembly of France decreed a 
general mourning of three days. The genius 
and patriotism of Franklin have justly ren- 
dered his name illustrious. He had the feli- 
city to see all his hopes realized, respecting 
the freedom of America, and his name will 
be revered by posterity as a philosopher and 
a legislator. The following item of his will 
js a sufficient proof of the high estimation in 
which he held the commander in chief of the 
American armies. 

" My fine crab-tree walking stick, with a 
gold head, curiously wrought in the form of 
the cap of liberty, I give to my friend, and 
the friend of mankind, General Washing- 
ton. If it were a sceptre, he has merited it, 
and would become it." 



WASHINGTON. 161 

In this unhappy contest it appears, from 
the most authentic estimates, that the Ameri- 
cans lost eighty thousand men, and Great 
Britain upwards of forty thousand. Such 
was the termination of a war which exalted 
the United States of America to an indepen- 
dent rank among the nations of the earth. 

As military operations were now entirely 
suspended, it was no longer necessary to 
keep the American army embodied. The 
states, however, were unable to pay them 
the arrears due for their inestimable services, 
and those men who had spent the prime of 
their days in defence of their country, were 
now to be dismissed without a reward. 

An attempt was made by an anonymous 
paper to incite the officers and soldiers to re- 
volt. Washington,, who was then in the 
camp, saw the danger, and exerted his influ- 
ence to prevent it. At a meeting of the gen- 
eral and field officers, \\ ith one officer from 
each company, the commander in chief ad- 
dressed them in a pathetic speech,, in which 
he conjured them, "as they valued their 
honour, as they respected the rights of hu- 
inanity, and as they regardedthe military and 
national character of America, to express 
their utmost detestation of the man who was 
attempting to open the floodgates of civil 



1^2 THE LIFE OF 

discord, and delude their rising empire with 
blood. " Washington then retired. The of- 
ficers, softened by the eloquence of their be- 
Joved commander, entered into a resolution, 
by which they declared, " that no circum- 
stance of distress or danger should induce a 
conduct that might tend to sully the reputa- 
tion and glory they had acquired ; that the 
army continued to have an unshaken confi- 
dence in the justice of Congress and their 
country, and that they viewed with abhor- 
rence, and rejected with disdain, the infa- 
mous propositions in the late anonymous ad- 
dress to the officers of the army." 

The fortitude and patriotism of Washing- 
ton, were in no instance, of more essential 
service to America, than on this momentous 
occasion. Instead of making the discontent 
of the army instrumental to his own ambi- 
tion, and usurping the government, this mag- 
nanimous patriot soothed the passions of his 
soldiers, and preserved inviolate the liberties 
of the country. 

The following character of Washington, is 
given by M. de la Fayette, in his statement 
of his own conduct and principles — "The 
Americans petitioned and remonstrated ; but 
their petitions and remonstrances were con- 
temptuously thrownunderthe table. At length 



WASHINGTON. 168 

they reluctantly appealed to the sword, as their 
last resource. Hostilities were commenced ; 
a national army was raised ; and Col. Wash- 
ington was appointed commander in chief, a 
situation which the genius of his country 
seems designed for him at his birth ; the peo- 
ple rejoiced at this choice, and placed a most 
hearty and unreserved confidence in his in- 
tegrity ; and notwithstanding the many diffi- 
culties, and embarrassments, and jealousies, 
that naturally attended his situation during 
the war, yet in the end he amply proved him- 
self worthy of that confidence reposed in 
him. There was a mild serenity in his de- 
portment and manner, that would give dig- 
nity even to a rebel ; and so slow and mode- 
rate were his resentments, that he appeared to 
have wrested the passion from his nature, as 
a blemish which degraded the dignity of that 
degree of excellence which links the divine 
nature to the human in the universal chain.' — 
He had an irresistible propensity to justice, 
and so inflexible was his attachment to that 
divine attribute, that in all his actions, whether 
public or private, the leading feature readily 
discovered the source from which they 
sprung. If he ha,d faults, he must have been 
sensible of them, and was very successful in 
concealing them from the world. 



164 THE LIFE OF 

" No character among the ancients was so 
much admired by him as that of Arislides, 
and no man ever adopted his political and 
private principles more correctly, except that 
he had observed the dictates of justice a de- 
gree farther, in not wronging himself; he 
was not philosopher enough to Jose sight of 
the difference between wealth and poverty. 
I would not have my meaning perverted into 
a charge of parsimony. His generosity, as 
commander in chief, and as President, will 
obviate any such idea. When merit of any 
sort presented itself, his purse, patronage, and 
friendship, were as prompt as his approba- 
tion. As an officer,, he assumed a pride not 
natural to him. It was necessary in a loose 
army to supply the want ot that rigid authori- 
ty, which gives a settled perfection to disci- 
pline. In his retirement, he chose rather to 
assume the active and independent citizen, 
than what people of common notions may 
rashly call an ambitious ostentation of pover- 
ty, which may be looked upon as a perpetual 
momento to the gratitude of his country. 

"< To judge the merits of this difference in 
the characters of those illustrious personages, 
would be presumptuous in any man who did 
not possess the divine greatness of soul, and 
elevated genius of Aristides. Washington 



WASHINGTON. 16% 

might consider wealth as a great blessing in 
the hands of a good man, because it enabled 
him to indulge a kind and generous propen- 
sity in relieving the cravings of corporeal ne- 
cessities. Aristides, perhaps, forming a more 
just idea of the ends we are designed to an- 
swer in this short life, might think it brutish 
in man to devote the noble faculties of the 
mind entirely to the gratification of those ap- 
petites and passions which brutes possess in 
common with him, and strove, by example 
and precept, to exalt the human mind to a 
sense of its own inherent dignity, in temporise 
ing with the condition of our fate in this life, 
and ascertaining the degree of its fortitude, 
by the degree of poverty allotted to us for 
the benefit of the experiment. 

" Aristides, born poor, might have ima- 
gined, that an accumulation of wealth must 
unavoidable derive some tincture from injus- 
tice; and Washington, born wealthy, might 
deem it injustice to die poor. 

"Washington could not see any material 
difference between the despotism of absolute 
monarchy and that of licentiousness. In both 
species, reason and justice are trampled un- 
der foot, and the life and property of the sub- 
ject unprotected by any law, lie open to be- 
come the prey of the robber and the assassin. 



i$6 tub i. mi. if 

In Washington's eonduet during the Amcri- 
ean war, \w m.iv easily see hew tar his ae 
lions were governed hv his principles, and 
th< happy Conclusion ptOVtfd their merits. " 

Towards the dote Oi the year 17S.>, Uotv- 
grew issued a proelamatiom in whuh the ar 
inies of the United Slates w ere applauded 
for their 4l lottg, eminent, and faithful servi- 

Congress then declared it to he their 

plcasurej "that such part of their federal ar- 

. as stood engaged to serve during the 

war, should hem and after the third day ol 

November next, he absolutely disel... 

from the said sen ice 

Washington's 4i Farewell orders to the 
ol the United States, n dated Rocky 
\\ . near Princeton, November 2di L783> ii 
hetic exlv rtation, in which the disinter- 
estedness ol the Patriot is blended with 
the .wisdom ol the Philosopher, It coa- 
tams the following interesting and imp, 
passages : 

* w It only remains for the commander in 
chiel to address himseli once more, and for 

the last time, to the ainues of the United 

States, and to bid them an affectionate ■ Ions; 
farewell, 

" It is universally acknowledged, the 
enlarged prospects of happiness opened by 



WASHINGTON. 16,7 

the consideration of our independence and 
sovereignty, almost exceed the power of des- 
cription ; and shall not the brave men, who 
have contributed so essentially to these ines- 
timable acquisitions, retiring victorious from 
the field of war to the field of agriculture, 
participate in all the blessings which have 
been obtained ? In such a republic, who 
will exclude them from the rights of citizens, 
and the fruits of their labours? To these 
hardy soldiers, who are actuated by the spirit 
of adventure, the fisheries will afford ample 
and profitable employments; and the exten- 
sive and fertile regions of the West will yield 
a most happy asylum to those, who, fond of 
domestic enjoyment, are seeking for personal 
independence. 

" The commander in chief conceives little 
is now wanting to enable the soldiers to 
change the military character into that of a 
citizen, but that steady and decent tenour of 
behaviour, which has generally distinguished 
not only the army under his immediate com- 
mand, but the different detachments and se- 
parate armies, through the course of the war ; 
from their good sense and prudenee, he an- 
ticipates the happiest consequences; and 
while he congratulates them on the glorious 
occasion which renders their services in the 



ItS8 THE LIFE OF 

field no longer necessary, he wishes- to ex- 
press the strong obligations he feels himself 
under, for the assistance he has received from 
every class, and in every instance. To the 
various branches of the army, the general 
takes this last and solemn opportunity of pro- 
fessing his inviolable attachment and friend- 
ship. He wishes more than bare professions 
were in his power ; that he was really able to 
be useful to them all in future life. And be- 
ing now to conclude these his last public or- 
ders, to take his ultimate leave, in a short 
time, of the military character, and to bid a 
final adieu to the armies he has so long had 
the honor to command, he can only again of- 
fer, in their behalf, his recommendations to 
their grateful country, and his prayers to the 
God of armies. May amplejusticebedone 
them here, and may the choicest of Heaven's 
favours, both here and hereafter, attend those, 
who, under the Divine auspices, have secured 
innumerable blessings for others ! With 
these wishes, and this benediction, the com- 
mander in chief is about to retire from ser- 
vice. The curtain of separation will soon 
be drawn, and the military scene to him will 
be closed forever I" 

To this address the army that remained at 
West-Point, on the banks of the Hudson, 



WASHINGTON. 169 

sent a most respectful and affectionate an- 
swer. After returning thanks to their gene- 
ral, for his exertions in their favour, they ex- 
press their feelings in the following bold and 
figurative language : 

" Regardless of present sufferings, we 
looked forward to the end of our toils and 
dangers, to brighter scenes in prospect. — 
There we beheld the genius of our country, 
dignified by our sovereignty and independ- 
ence, supported by justice, and adorned with 
every liberal virtue. There we saw patient 
husbandry fearless extend her cultured fields, 
and animated commerce spread her sails to 
every wind. There we beheld fair science 
lift her head, with all the arts attending in 
her train. There blest with freedom, we 
saw the human mind expand; and throwing 
aside the restraints which confined it to the 
narrow bounds of country, it embraced the 
world. Those animating prospects are now 
changed and changing to realities ; and ac- 
tively to have contributed to their produc- 
tion, is our pride, our glory.'* 

New-York was evacuated by the British 
troops about three weeks after the discharge 
of the American army. Meanwhile, Wash- 
ington, having finished the great work of the 
revolution, and founded a republic, he wish- 



p 



J 70 THE LIFE OF 

ed to retire from the eye of observation to 
the peaceful rural shades of his patrimonial 
inheritance. Accordingly, he took leave of 
his officers in the most solemn manner. — 
Having been previously assembled for that 
purpose, Washington joined them, and cal- 
ling for a glass of wine, he addressed them 
in the following words : " AVith a heart full 
of love and gratitude, I now take leave of 
you : 1 most devoutly wish that your latter 
days may be as prosperous and happy, as 
your former ones have been glorious and 
honourable*'' The officers were deeplv at- 
iccted; they came up to him successively. 
and he took an affecting leave of each. He 
then left the room, and passed between the 
ranks of a corps of light infantry that lined 
his way to the side of the North River. The 
officers followed him in a solemn silent train ; 
i heir eyes were suffused with tears. They 
felt a strong emotion oi regret at parting with 
a hero who had participated thejr dangers, 
and so often led them to dory. When 



&■ 



Washington entered the barge, he turned to- 
wards his fellow-soldiers with a countenance 
expressive of his feelings, and waved his hat 
as a iaot adieu. 

lie proceeded to Annapolis to resign his 
e. >mmission to Congress; and was accompa- 



WASHINGTON. 171 

nied by his nephew, Major George Wash- 
ington, and Colonel Humphries, his aid-de- 
camp. His progress was marked by public 
rejoicings ; triumphal arches were erected at 
the entrance of every town and village 
through which he passed. A train of beau- 
tiful young virgins, robed in white, met him 
with songs of gratulation ; they strewed lau- 
rels before the benign hero, who moved 
slowly along, on a white charger. The name 
of Washington excited an universal emo- 
tion. W r omen and children thronged the 
doors and windows, eager to behold the de- 
liverer of their country ; bands of music fil- 
led the air with sprightly melody, while the 
men who had fought under the banners of 
liberty, hailed their general with acclama- 
tions. Washington received this tribute of 
public gratitude with his characteristic benig- 
nity, while his bosom participated the general 
happiness. 

On his arrival at Annapolis, he informed 
Congress of his intended resignation ; thev 
resolved it should be in a public audience, 
and on the day appointed, numbers of distin- 
guished persons attended, to behold the in- 
teresting scene. General Washington ad 
dressed the President in the following 
words; 



i7J THE LIFE OF 

€ * Mr. President, 

" The great events on which my resigna- 
tion depended, having at length taken place, 
I have now the honour of offering my sin- 
cere congratulations to Congress, and of pre- 
senting myself before them to surrender into 
their hands the trust committed to me, and 
to claim the indulgence of retiring from the 
services of my country. 

" Happy in the confirmation of our inde- 
pendence and sovereignty, and pleased with 
the opportunity afforded the United States of 
becoming a respectable nation, I resign with 
satisfaction, the appointment I accepted with 
diffidence ; a diffidence in my abilities to 
accomplish so arduous a task, which, how- 
ever, was superceded by a confidence in the 
rectitude of our cause, the support of the Su- 
preme Power of the Union, and the patron- 
age of Heaven. 

" The successful termination of the war 
has verified the most sanguine expectations, 
and my gratitude for the interposition of Pro- 
vidence, and the assistance I have received 
from my countrymen, increases with every 
review of the momentous contest. 

" While I repeat my obligations to the ar- 
my in general, I should do injustice to my 
feelings, not to acknowledge, in this place, 



WASHINGTON. 173 

the peculiar services and distinguished merits 
of the persons who had been attached to my 
person during the war ; it was impossible the 
choice of confidential officers to compose my 
family should have been more fortunate.' — - 
Permit me, sir, to recommend in particular 
those who have continued in the service to 
the present moment, as worthy of the favour- 
able notice and patronage of Congress. 

" I consider it as my indispensable duty to 
close this last solemn act of my official life, 
by commending the interests of our dearest 
country to the protection of Almighty God, 
and those who have the superintendance of 
them to his holy keeping. 

"Having now finished the work assigned 
me, I retire from the great theatre of action ; 
and bidding an affectionate farewell to this 
august body, under whose orders I have long- 
acted, I here offer my commission, and take 
my leave of all the employments of public 
life." 

To this the President returned the follow- 
ing answer : 
" Sir, 

" The United States, in Congress assem- 
bled, receive, with emotions too affecting for 
utterance, the solemn resignation of the au- 
thorities under which you have led thefT 
1> 2 



174 THE LIFE OF 

with success, though a perilous and doubtful 
war. 

" Called upon by your country to defend 
its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred 
charge before it had formed alliances, and 
whilst it was without funds or a government 
to support you. 

" You have conducted the great military 
contest with wisdom and fortitude, invaria- 
bly regarding the rights of the civil power 
through all disasters and changes : you have, 
by the love and confidence of your fellow- 
citizens, enabled them to display their mar- 
tial genius, and transmit their fame to poste- 
rity ; you have persevered, till these United 
States, aided by a magnanimous king and 
nation, have been enabled, under a just Pro- 
vidence, to close the war in freedom, safety, 
and independence ; on which happy event, 
we sincerely join you in congratulations. 

" Having defended the standard of liberty 
in this new world ; having taught a lesson 
useful to those who reflect, and to those who 
feel oppression ; you retire from the great 
theatre of action, with the blessings of your 
fellow-citizens : but the glory of your virtues 
will not terminate with your military corn- 
command : it will continue to animate re- 
motest ages. We feel, with you, our obliga- 



WASHINGTON. 175 

tions to the army in general, and will parti- 
cularly charge ourselves with the interests of 
those confidential officers, who have attend- 
ed your person to this affecting moment. 

" We join you in commending the inter- 
ests of our dearest country to the protection 
of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose 
the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve 
the opportunity afforded them, of becoming 
a happy and respectable nation ; and for 
you, we address to him our earnest prayers, 
that a life so beloved may be fostered with 
all his care : that your days may be happy 
as they have been illustrious; and that he 
will finally give you that reward which this 
world cannot give/' 

Washington now hastened to Mount Ver- 
non, where he was welcomed by his affec- 
tionate consort, neighbours, and domestics, 
with every demonstration of joy ; and di- 
vesting himself of the military robe, he once 
more assumed the plain garb of the farmer. 

Agriculture was his favourite pursuit.—- 
His estate at Mount Vernon particularly en- 
gaged his attention, which was productive of 
large quantities of wheat, Indian corn, pota- 
toes, and flax, besides flocks of sheep and 
herds of cattle. Under his eye his domes- 
tics manufactured linen and woollen cloth, 



Il6 THE LIFE OF 

sufficient for his household, which consisted 
of nearly one thousand persons. He was vi- 
sited by all foreigners who travelled in North 
America; and his hospitality and politeness 
ensured their esteem. He kept a pack of 
hounds, and generally hunted once a week, 
accompanied by a party of gentlemen from 
Alexandria. 

His life was regulated by temperance ; he 
rose early, and after spending the day in a 
variety of rural pursuits, he retired to rest 
about nine o'clock. This was his invariable 
rule, except when visitors required his polite 
attention. His table was overspread with 
the most wholesome viands and pure wines, 
but he commonly dined on a single dish, 
which, with a few glasses of wine, formed 
his repast. His liberality patronised an acad- 
emy at Alexandria, encouraged the interior, 
navigation of the Potomac : he was the ben- 
efactor of the poor, and in short, like the sun 
to vegetation, his cheering influence and ex- 
ample promoted the happiness of society 
where he resided. 

And here it may not be improper to give 
a description of the spot that was consecrated 
by the presence of a patriotic hero. Mount 
Vernon is situated on the Virginia bank of 
the Potomac, where it is nearly two miles 



WASHINGTON. 177 

wide. The sloping mount rises two hundred 
feet above the surface of the river ; the sum- 
mit is about ten acres in extent, in the cen- 
tre of which the mansion appears in majes- 
tic simplicity. The front next the river is 
embellished by a portico ninety-six feet long, 
and twenty feet high, supported by eight 
Doric columns. The wings are adorned 
with groves of various flowering shrubs and 
forest-trees, skirted by two large gardens, 
and the whole is terminated by the stables at 
one extremity, and a green house, school- 
house, and servant's hall for the negro me- 
chanics at the other. The prospect from 
the front is inexpressibly beautiful. A small 
wood park, that stretches along the banks 
of the Potomac, presents to the eye hc„rds 
of the English deer and American wild 
deer, bounding among the thickets, or feed- 
ing on the herbage ; these objects, together 
with the vessels that glide along the river, 
enliven the picturesque scene. Beyond a 
small creek, towards the north, an extensive 
plain exhibits corn-fields and pastures, with 
numerous flocks and herds; while the broad 
expanse of water, and the distant wood- 
lands, cultured hills and vallies on the Ma- 
ryland shore, present a rich variety of rural 
scenery, which form an admirable landscape, 



178 THE LIFE OF 

In these peaceful scenes, Washington en- 
joyed the rational delights of rural life, from 
the year 1783, till the summer of 1787, when 
he was elected a delegate to the federal con- 
vention which met at Philadelphia to form 
the new Constitution, and was chosen Pre- 
sident thereof. Whatever difference of sen- 
timent there might have been amongst the 
citizens with regard to the principle^ struc- 
ture, or adoption of the new Constitution, 
there appeared but one sentiment as to the 
man who should sit at the helm of its admin- 
istration. General Washington, after the 
adoption of the Federal Constitution, was on, 
the 6th of April, 1789, unanimously elected 
President of the United States — whereupon 
the citizens testified with becoming joy their 
confidence and approbation at his appoint- 
ment to the office of chief magistrate, and 
innumerable addresses reiterated his praise 
from every part of the union. 

His triumphal entrv into Philadelphia on 
his way to New-York, the seat of govern- 
ment, to assume the duties of this important 
office, merit a minute description. Early on 
the morning of the 20th of April, his Excel- 
lency Thomas Mifflin, Esquire, Governor of 
the state, the honourable Richard P * •< • Es- 
quire, speaker of the legislature of the state, 



WASHINGTON. 17$ 

the old city troop of horse, and another troop 
from the city commanded by captain Bing- 
ham, waited the arrival of their beloved 
Washington, at the line between the states 
of Pennsylvania and Delaware, to which 
place they had proceeded on the evening be- 
fore. 

After paying him the tribute of military 
honour due to his rank and exalted character, 
by proper salutes and otherwise, they escort- 
ed him into Chester, where they breakfasted., 
and rested a couple of hours. 

This great and worthy man, finding he 
could not possibly elude the parade which 
necessarily must attend manifestations of joy 
and affection, when displayed by a grateful 
people, to their patriot benefactor, ordered 
his carriages into the rear of the whole line, 
and mounted an elegant horse, accompanied 
by the venerable patriot, Charles Thompson, 
Esquire, and his former aid-de-camp, the 
celebrated Colonel Humphreys; both of 
whom were also on horseback. 

On their way to the city, they were joined 
by detachments from the Chester and Phila- 
delphia troops of horse, and also by a num- 
ber of respectable citizens, at whose head was 
the worthy citizen and soldier, his Excelled 
cy Arthur St. Clair, Esquire, Governor of 



180 THE LIFE OF 

the Western Territory. Thus they proceed- 
ed to Gray's Ferry, on the Schuylkill ; observ- 
ing the strictest order and regularity during 
the march. But here such a scene present- 
ed itself, that even the pencil of a Raphael 
could not delineate. 

The bridge was highly decorated with lau- 
rel and other evergreens, by Messrs. Gray, 
the ingenious Mr. Peale, and others, and in 
such a style, as to display uncommon taste in 
these gentlemen, At each end there were 
erected magnificent arches, composed of 
laurel, emblematical of the ancient triumphal 
arches, used by the Romans, and on each side 
of the bridge, a laurel shrubbery; which seem- 
ed to challenge even nature itself, for simpli- 
city, ease, and elegance. And as Washing- 
ton passed the bridge, a lad, beautifully or- 
namented with sprigs of laurel, assisted by 
certain machinery, let drop, above the hero's 
head, unperceived by him, a civic crown of 
laurel. There was also a very elegant dis- 
play of variegated flags on each side of the 
bridge, as well as other places, which alter- 
nately caught the eye, and filled the specta- 
tor's soul with admiration and delight. 

But who can describe the heart felt con- 
gratulations of mire than twenty thousand 
free citizens, who lined every fence, field, 



WASHINGTON. 1 81 

and avenue between the bridge and city ? — « 
The aged sire, the venerable matron, the 
blooming virgin, and the ruddy youth, were 
all emulous in their plaudits — nay, the lisp- 
ing infant did not withhold its innocent smile 
of praise and approbation. 

In short, all classes and descriptions of citi- 
zens discovered (and they felt what they dis- 
covered) the most undisguised attachment and 
unbounded zeal for their dear chief, and I 
may add, under God, the Saviour of their 
country. Not all the pomp of majesty, not 
even imperial dignity itself, surrounded with 
its usual splendour and magnificence, could 
equal this interesting scene. 

On approaching near the city, our illustri- 
ous chief was highly gratified with a further 
military display of infantry, and artillery, who 
joined in the procession, and thousands of 
freemen, whose hearts burned with patriotic 
fire, also fell into the ranks almost every 
square they marched, until the column swel- 
led beyond credibility itself, nnd having con- 
ducted the man of their hearts to the city ta- 
vern, he was introduced to a very grand and 
plentiful banquet, which was prepared for 
him by the citizens. The pleasures and fes- 
tivity of the day being over, they were suc- 
ceeded by a handsome display of fire- works 



182 THE LIFE OF 

in the evening ; this may give a faint idea of 
this glorious procession, and of the universal 
joy which inspired every heart upon this in- 
teresting, this important occasion. 

His progress from Philadelphia to New- 
York is thus described by an elegant writer, 
and presents an animated picture of public 
gratitude : 

" When Mr. Washington crossed the Del- 
aware, and landed on the Jersey shore, he 
was saluted with three cheers by the inhabi- 
tants of the vicinity. When he came to the 
brow of the hill, on his way to Trenton, a tri- 
umphal arch was erected on the bridge, by 
the direction of the ladies of the place. The 
crown of the arch was highly ornamented 
with imperial laurels and flowers, and on it 
was displayed in large figures, December 
<26th 9 1116. On the sweep of the arch, be- 
neath, was this inscription : The Defender of 
the Mothers xcill also protect their Daughters. 
On the north side were ranged a number of 
young girls, dressed in white, with gari 
lands of flowers on their heads, and bas- 
kets of flowers on their arms; in the second 
row stood the young ladies, and behind them 
the married ladies of the town. The instant 
he passed the arch, the young girls began to 
sing the following ode : 



WASHINGTON. 18$ 

** Welcome, mighty chief once more", 
" Welcome to this grateful shore ; 
" Now no mercenary foe 
" Aims again the fatal blow, 
" Aims at thee the fatal blow. 

" Virgins fair, and matrons grave, 
*« These thy conq'ring arm did save* 
*' Build lor thee triumphal bowers, 
V Strew ye fair, his way with flowers, 
<c Strew your hero's way with flowers." 

As they sung the last lines, they strewed 
their flowers on the road before their beloved 
deliverer. His situation on this occasion, 
contrasted with what he had, in December, 
1776, felt on the same spot, when the affairs 
of America were at the lowest ebb of depres- 
sion, filled him with sensations that cannot be 
described. He was rowed across the bay 
from Elizabeth-Town to New- York in an 
elegant barge, by thirteen pilots. All the 
vessels in the harbour hoisted their flags. Ori 
his landing, universal joy diffused itself 
through every order of the people, and he was 
received and congratulated by the Governor 
of the state, and officers of the corporation.— 
In the evening the houses of the inhabitants 
were brilliantly illuminated. " 

On the 50th of April, he was inaugurated 
President of the United States, and took the 
oath enjoined by the constitution, in the fol- 
lowing words : u I do solemnly swear, that I 



181 THE LIFE OF 

will faithfully execute the office of President 
of the United States, and will, to the best of 
my abilities, protect and defend the constitu- 
tion of the United States." An universal 
and solemn silence prevailed among the spec- 
tators during this part of the ceremony. The 
Chancellor then proclaimed him President of 
the United States, and was answered by the 
discharge of cannon and the acclamation of 
ten thousand citizens. An eye-witness to 
this interesting scene, describes his emotions 
in the following words : — " It seemed, by 
the number of witnesses, to be a solemn ap- 
peal to Heaven and earth at once. Upon the 
subject of this great and good man, I may 
perhaps be an enthusiast : but I confess, I 
was under an awful and religious persuasion, 
that the gracious ruler of the universe was 
looking down at that moment, with peculiar 
complacency, on an act which, to a part of 
his creatures, was so very important. Under 
this impression, when the Chancellor pro- 
nounced, in a very feeling manner, " Long 
live George WasJ&ngton" my sensibility was 
wound up to such a pitch, that I could do no 
more than wave my hat with the rest, with- 
out the power of joining in the repeated ac- 
clamations which rent the air." After this 
ceremony, Washington retired to the Senate 






WASHINGTON. 183 

Chamber, where he delivered the following 
inaugural address to both Houses of Con- 
gress : 
" Gentlemen, 

" Among the vicissitudes incident to life, 
no event could have filled me with greater 
anxieties, than that, of which the notification 
was transmitted by your order, and received 
on the fourteenth day of the present month: 
on the one hand, I was summoned by my 
country, whose voice I can never hear but 
witli veneration and love, from a retreat 
which I had chosen with the fondest predilec- 
tion, and, in my flattering hopes, with an im- 
mutable decision, as the asylum of my de- 
clining years; a retreat which was rendered 
every day more necessary, as well as more 
dear to me, by -the addition of habit to incli- 
nation, and of frequent interruptions in health, 
to the gradual waste committed on it by 
time. On the other hand, the magnitude 
and difficulty of the trust, to which the 
voice of my country called me, being 
sufficient to awaken in the wisest apd 
most experienced of her citizens, a distrust- 
ful scrutiny into his qualifications, could not 
but overwhelm with despondence^ one who, 
inheriting infeiior endowments from nature, 
and unpractised in the duties of civil adi 



1S6 THE LIFE OF 

istration, ought to be peculiarly conscious of 
his own deficiencies. In this conflict of emo- 
tions, all I dare aver, is, that it has been my 
faithful study to collect my duty from a just 
appreciation of every circumstance, by which 
it might be effected. All I dare hope, is, 
that if, in executing this task, I have been 
too much swayed by a grateful remembrance 
of former instances, or by an affectionate sen- 
sibility to this transcendent proof of the con- 
fidence of my fellow-citizens; and have 
thence too little consulted my incapacity as 
well as disinclination for the weighty and un- 
tried cares before me — my error will be pal- 
liated by the motives which mislead me, and 
its consequences be judged by my country, 
with some share of the partiality in which 
they originated. 

" Such being the impressions under which 
I have, in obedience to the public summons, 
repaired to the present station— it would be 
peculiarly improper to omit in this first official 
act, my fervent supplications to that Al- 
mighty Being who rules over the universe, 
who presides in the councils of nations — and 
whose providential aids can supply every hu- 
man defect, that his benediction may conse- 
crate to the liberties and happiness of the 
le of the United States, a government 



WASHINGTON. 187 

Instituted by themselves for these essential 
purposes ; and may enable every instrument, 
employed in its administration, to execute 
with success the functions allotted to his 
charge. In tendering this homage to the 
great Author of every public and private 
good, I assure myself that it expresses vour 
sentiments not less than my own, nor those 
of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. 
No people can be bound to acknowledge and 
adore the invisible hand, which conducts the 
affairs of men, more than the people of the 
United States. Every step, by which they 
have advanced to the character of an inde- 
pendent nation, seems to have been distin- 
guished by some tokens of providential agen- 
cy. And in the important revolution just 
accomplished in the system of their united 
government, the tranquil deliberations and 
voluntary consent of so many distinct com- 
munities, from which the event has resulted, 
cannot be compared with the means by 
which most governments have been establish- 
ed, without some return of pious gratitude, 
along with an humble anticipation of the 
futnre blessings which the past seem to pre- 
sage. These reflections, arising out of the 
present crisis, have forced themselves too 
strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You 



188 THE LIFE OF 

will join with me, I trust, in thinking, that 
there are none under the influence or which, 
the proceedings of a new and Tree govern- 
ment can more auspiciously commence. 

" By the article establishing the executive 
department, it is made the duty of the Presi- 
dent " to recommend to your consideration, 
such measures as he shall judge necessary and 
expedient." The circumstances under which 
I now meet you, will acquit me from enter- 
ing into that subject, farther than to refer to 
the great constitutional charter under which 
you are assembled ; and which, in defining 
your powers, designates the objects to which 
your attention is to be given. It will be 
more consistent with those circumstances, 
and far more congenial with the feelings 
which actuate me, to substitute in place of a 
recommendation of particular measures, the 
tribute that is due to the talents, the rectitude,, 
and die patriotism which adorn the charac- 
ters selected to devise and adopt them. In 
these honourable qualifications, 1 behold the 
surest pledges, that as, on one side, no local 
prejudices or attachments — no separate views 
— nor party animosities, will misdirect the 
comprehensive and equal eye which ought 
to watch over this great assemblage of com- 
munities and interests : so, on another, that 



WASHINGTON, 189 

the foundations of our national policy will be 
laid in the pure and immutable principles of 
private morality ; and the pre-eminence of 
free government, be exemplified by all the 
attributes which can win the affections of its 
citizens, and command the respect of the 
world. I dwell on this prospect with every 
satisfaction which an ardent love for my 
country can inspire; since there is no truth 
more thoroughly established, than that there 
exists in the economy and course of nature 
an indissoluble union between virtue and 
happiness, between duty and advantage, be- 
tween the genuine maxims of an honest and 
magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards 
of public prosperity and felicity: since we 
ought to be no less persuaded, that the pro- 
pitious smiles of heaven can never be ex- 
pected on a nation that di regards the eternal 
rules of order and right, which Heaven itself 
has ordained : and since the preservation of 
the sacred lire of liberry, and the destiny of 
the republican model of government, are 
justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally 
staked, on the experiment entrusted to the 
hands of the American people. 

" Besides the ordinary objects submitted 
to your care, it will remain with your judg- 
ment to decide, how far an exercise of the 



190 THE LIFE OF 

occasional power delegated by the fifth arti- 
cle of the constitution is rendered expedient 
at the present juncture, by the nature of ob- 
jections which have been urged against the 
system, or by the degree of inquietude which 
has given birth to them. Instead of under- 
taking particular recommendations on this 
subject, in which I could be guided by no 
lights derived from official opportunities, I 
shall again give way to my entire confidence 
in your discernment and pursuit of the public 
good : for I assure myself that whilst you 
carefully avoid every alteration which might 
endanger the benefits of an united and effec- 
tive government, or which ought to await the 
future lessons of experience ; a reverence 
for the characteristic rights of freemen, and 
a regard for the public harmony, will suffi- 
ciently influence your deliberations on the 
question, how far the former can be more 
impregnably fortified, or the latter be safely 
and advantageously promoted. 

" To the preceding observations I have one 
to add, which will be more properly addres- 
sed to the House of Representatives. It con- 
cerns mvself, and will therefore be as brief 
as possible. When I was first honoured 
with a call into the service of my cou try, 
then on the eve of an arduous struggle for its 



WASHINGTON. , 191 

liberties, the light in which I contemplated 
my duty, required that I should renounce 
every pecuniary compensation. From this 
resolution I have in no instance departed. — 
And being still under the impressions which 
produced it, I must decline, as inapplicable 
to myself, any share in the personal emolu- 
ments, which may be indispensably included 
in a permanent provision for the executive 
department; and must accordingly pray that 
the pecuniary estimates for the station in 
which I am placed,' may, during my contin- 
uance in it, be limited to such actual expen- 
ditures as the public good may be thought to 
require. 

" Having thus imparted to you my senti- 
ments, as they have been awakened by the 
occasion which brings us together, I shall 
take my present leave; but not without re- 
sorting once more to the benign parent of the 
human race, in humble supplication, that 
since he has been pleased to favour the Amer- 
ican people, with opportunities for deliber- 
ating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions 
for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on 
a form of government, for the security of 
their union, and the advancement of their 
happiness ; so his divine blessing may be 
equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, 



192 THE LIFE OF 

the temperate consultations, and the wise 
measures on which the success of this 20- 
verni^ent must depend. • 

« G. WASHINGTON." 
Soon after his appointment to the chief 
magistracy, he visited the Eastern States 
with a view to promote agriculture, and ex- 
plore the means of national improvement. — 
The French revolution, which had excited 
the attention of mankind, proved a severe 
test to the prudence of Washington. Though 
he secretly disapproved of the violent mea- 
sures of the French Republic, yet he saw 
that it was necessary for America to preserve 
a mutual good understanding with that na- 
tion. With this conviction, he received Mr. 
Genet, whose altercations with the govern- 
ment excited the anxiety of every good 
mind. The moderation of Washington tri- 
umphed over every difficulty ; and though 
his authority was insulted by anonymous li- 
bels; though his confidential ministers were 
accused of being seduced to betray their 
trust; nay, though the populace were insti- 
gated to insurrection, his prudent measures 
restored peace and harmony. 

Washington was twice elected President, 
and during his eight years administration, he 
performed the duties of his arduous office 



WASHINGTON. 193 

with all the zeal of an honest patriot. His 
principal residence was in Philadelphia, 
where Mrs. Washington was treated with 
the distinction which her own amiable vir- 
tues and the dignified station of her husband 
claimed. 

The President occasionally visited Mount 
Vernon,* where in his fragrant bowers he 
found a pleasing relaxation from the cares of 
government. 

In April, 1796, he had the satisfaction to 
sign the commercial treaty with Great Bri- 
tain, an event which was facilitated by his 
exertions. After having spent forty-five years 
of his life in the service of his country, he, 
in September, 1796, announced his determi- 
nation to retire, in an address, expressive of 
his gratitude and affection. 

This treasure of instruction cannot fail to 
make a favourable impression on the mind of 
the reader, and it exhibits a lucid view of the 
state and resources of America. 

* '* I was struck with awe and veneration when I recollected 
that I was now in the presence of one of the greatest men upon 
earth. The great Washing-ton, the noble and wise benefactor 
of the world ! as Mirabeau stjles him— the advocate of human 
nature, the friend of both worlds Whether we view him as a 
general in the field, \ested with unlimited authority and power, 
at the head of a victorious army ; or in ihe cabinet, as the Pre- 
sident of the United States ; or as a private gentleman, cultivat- 
ing- his ownfui m, he is still the same great'man— anxious onlv 
to discharge with propriety the duties of his relative situation."" 
Wansey's Excursions to the U. States of North America. 
R 



J 94 THE LIFE OF 

Address of President Washington to the 

People of America. 
" ^Friends and Fellozv- Citizens, 

" The period for the new election of a 
citizen, to administer the executive govern- 
ment of the United States being not far dis- 
tant, and the time actually arrived, when 
your thoughts must be employed in designat- 
ing the person who is to be clothed with 
that important trust, it appears to me proper, 
especially as it may conduce to a more dis- 
tinct expression of the public voice, that I 
should now apprise you of the resolution I 
have formed, to decline being considered 
among the number of those out of whom a 
choice is to be made. 

" I beg you at the same time to do me the 
justice to be assured, that this resolution has 
not been taken without a strict regard to all 
the considerations appertaining to the rela- 
tion which binds a dutilul citizen to his coun- 
try; and that, in withdrawing the tender of 
service, which silence in mv situation mi^ht 
imply, I am influenced by no diminution of 
zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of 
grateful respect for your past kindness, but 
am supported by a full conviction, that the 
step is compatible with both. 

" The acceptance of, and continuance 
hjtherto in, the office to which your suffrages 



Washington. 195 

have twice called me, have been an uniform 
sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, 
and to a deference to what appeared to be 
your desire. I constantly hoped, that it 
would have been much earlier in my power, 
consistently with motives which I was not at 
liberty to disregard, to return to that retire- 
ment from which I had been reluctantly 
drawn. The strength of my inclination to do 
this, previous to the last election, had even 
led to the preparation of an address to de- 
clare it to you, but mature reflection of the 
then perplexed and critical posture of our 
affairs with foreign nations, and the unani- 
mous advice of persons entitled to my confi- 
dence, impelled me to abandon the idea. 

" I rejoice that the state of your concerns, 
external as well as internal, no longer renders 
the pursuit of inclination incompatible with 
the sentiment of duty or propriety; and am 
persuaded, whatever partiality may be re- 
tained for my services, that in the present cir- 
cumstances of our country, you will not dis- 
approve of my determination to retire. 

" The impressions with which I first un- 
dertook the arduous trust, were explained on 
the proper occasion. In the discharge of 
this trust, I will only say, that I have, with 
good intentions, contributed towards the or- 



196 THE LIFE Uf 

ganization and administration of government, 
the best exertions of which a very fallable 
judgment was capable. Not unconscious in 
the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifica- 
tions, experience, in my own eyes, perhaps 
still more in the eyes of others, has strength- 
ened the motives to diffidence of myself: and 
every day the increasing weight of years ad- 
monishes me more and more that the shade 
of retirement is as necessary to me as it will 
be welcome. Satisfied that if any circum- 
stances have given peculiar value to my ser- 
vices, they were temporary. I have the con- 
solation to believe, that while choice and pru- 
dence invite me to quit the political scene, 
patriotism does not forbid it. 

" In looking forward to the moment which 
is intended to terminate the career of my 
public life, my feelings do not permit me to 
suspend the deep acknowledgment of that 
debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved 
country, for the many honours it has confer- 
red upon me, or still more for the sedfast con- 
fidence with which it has supported me ; and 
for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of 
manifesting my inviolable attachment, by ser- 
vices useful and persevering, though in use- 
fulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have 
resulted to our country from these services, 



WASHINGTON. 197 

let it always be remembered to your praise, 
and as an instructive example in our annals, 
that under circumstances in which the pas- 
sions, agitated in every direction, were most 
liable to mislead, amidst appearances some- 
times dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often 
discouraging, in situations in which not 
unfretmently want of success has counten- 
anced the spirit of criticism, the constan- 
cy of your support was the essential prop 
of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by 
which they were effected. Profoundly pen- 
etrated with this idea, I shall carry it with 
me to my grave, as a strong incitement to un- 
ceasing vows, that Heaven may continue to 
you the choicest tokens of his beneficence — • 
that your union and brotherly affection may 
be perpetual — that the free constitution, 
which is the work of your hands, may be sa- 
credly maintained- — that its administration in 
every department may be stamped with wis- 
dom and virtue — that, in fine, the happiness 
of these states under the auspices of liberty-, 
may be made complete, by so careful a pre- 
servation and so prudent a use of this bles- 
sing as will acquire to them the glory of re- 
commending it to the applause, the affection 
and adoption of every nation which is yet at 



stranger to it. 



R 2. 



198 THE LIFE OF 

" Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But 
solicitude for your welfare, which cannot 
end but with my life, and the apprehension 
of danger, natural to such solicitude, urge me 
on an occasion like the present to offer 
to your solemn contemplation, and to re- 
recommend to your frequent review, some 
sentiments, which are the result of much 
reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, 
and which appear to me all important 
to your felicity as a people. These will 
be offered to you with the more freedom, 
as you can only see in the disinterested warn- 
ings of a parting frienol, who can possibly 
have no personal motive to bias his counsel. 
Nor can I forget, as an encouragement to it, 
your indulgent reception of my sentiments on 
a former and not dissimilar occasion. 

" Interwoven as is the love of liberty with 
every ligament of your hearts, no recommen- 
dation of mine is necessary to fortify or con- 
firm the attachment. 

" The unity of government which consti- 
tutes you one people is also now dear to you. 
It is justly so ; for it is a main pillar in the 
edifice of your real independence, the sup- 
port of your tranquillity at home, and your 
peace abroad ; of your safety, of your pros- 
perity, of that very liberty which you so high- 



WASHINGTON. 199 

]y prize. But as it is easy to foresee, that 
from different causes and from different quar- 
ters much pains will be taken, many artifices 
employed, to v\ eaken in your minds the con- 
viction of this truth (as this is the point in 
your political fortress which, against the bat- 
teries of internal and external enemies, will 
be most constantly and actively, though often 
covertly and insidiously directed) it is of infi- 
nite moment that you should properly estimate 
the immense value of your national union to 
your collective and individual happiness ; that 
you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and 
immoveable attachment to it, accustoming 
yourselves to think and speak of it as of the 
palladium of your political safety and prosper- 
ity; watching tor its preservation with jeal- 
ous anxiety ; discountenancing whatever may 
suggest even a suspicion that it can in any 
event be abandoned ; and indignantly frown- 
ing upon every attempt to alienate any por- 
tion of our country from the rest, or to enfee- 
ble the saered ties which now link together 
the various parts. 

" For this you have every inducement of 
sympathy and interest. Citizens by birth or 
choice of a common coin try, that country 
has a right to concentrate your affections. — ■ 
The name of American, which belongs to 



200 THE LIFE OF 

you in your national capacity, must always 
exalt the just pride of patriotism more than 
any appellation derived from local deriva- 
tions. With light shades of difference, you 
have the same religion, manners, habits, and 
political principles. You have, in common 
cause, fought and triumphed together ; the 
independence and liberty you possess are the 
work of your counsels and joint efforts, of 
common dangers, sufferings and successes. 

" But these considerations, however pow- 
erfully they address themselves to your sen- 
sibility, are greatly outweighed by those which 
apply more immediately to your interest. — ■ 
Here every portion of our country finds the 
most commanding motivesfor carefully guard- 
ing and preserving the union of the whole. 

" The North, in an unrestrained inter- 
course with the South, protected by the equal 
laws of a common government, finds in the 
productions of the latter great additional re- 
sources of maritime and commercial enter- 
prises, and precious materials of manufactur- 
ing industry. The South, in the same inter- 
course, benefiting by the agency of the North, 
sees its agriculture grow, and its commerce 
expand. Turning partly into its own chan- 
nels the seamen of the North, it finds its par- 
ticular navigation invigorated ; and while it 



WASHINGTON. 4 J0i 

contributes in different ways to nourish and 
increase the general mass of the national na- 
vigation, it looks forward to the protection of 
a maritime strength, to which itself is une- 
qually adapted. The East, in a like inter- 
course with the West, already finds, and in 
the progressive improvement of interior com- 
munication by land and water, will more and 
more find, a valuable vent for the commodi- 
ties which it brings from abroad, or manu- 
factures at home. The West derives from 
the East supplies requisite to its growth and 
comfort— and what is, perhaps, ofstilJ great- 
er consequence, it must of necessity owe the 
secure enjoyment of indispensible outlets for 
its own productions to the weight, influence, 
and the future maritime strength of the At-" 
lantic side of the union, directed by an indis- 
soluble community ot interests as one nation. 
Any other tenure by which the West can hold 
these essential advantages, whether derived 
from its own separate strength, or from an 
apostate and unnatural connection with any 
foreign power, must be intrinsically precari- 
ous. 

" While then every part of our country 
thus feels an immediate and particular inter- 
est in union, all the parts combined cannot 
fail to find in the united mass of means and 



202 THE LIFE OF 

efforts greater strength, greater resource, pro- 
portionally greater security from external 
danger, less frequent interruption of their 
peace by foreign nations, and, what is of in- 
estimable value, they must derive from union 
an exemption from those broils and wars 
among themselves, which so frequently af- 
flict neighbouring countries, not tied together 
by the same government ; which their own 
rivalship alone would be sufficient to pro- 
duce, but which opposite foreign alliances, 
attachments, and intrigues, would stimulate 
and imbitter. Hence likewise they avoid 
the necessity of those overgrown military es- 
tablishments, which under any form of go- 
vernment are inauspicious to liberty, and 
which, are to be regarded as particularly hos- 
tile to republican liberty ; in this sense it is 
that your union ought to be considered as a 
main prop of your liberty, and that the love 
of the one ought to endear to you the preser- 
vation of the other. 

" These considerations speak a persuasive 
language to every reflecting and virtuous 
mind, and exhibit the continuance of the 
union as a primary object of patriotic desire. 
Is there a doubt whether a common govern- 
ment can embrace so large a system ? Let 
experience solve it. To listen to mere spe- 



WASHINGTON, 20S 

dilations in such a case were criminal. We 
are authorised to hope that a proper organi-, 
zationofthe whole, with the auxiliary agen- 
cy of governments for the respective subdi- 
visions, will afford a happy issue to the ex- 
periment. *Tis well worth a fair and full 
experiment. With such powerful and obvi- 
ous motives to union, affecting all parts of 
our country, while experience shall not have 
demonstrated its impracticability, there will 
always be reason to distrust the patriotism of 
those who in any quarter may endeavour tp 
weaken its bands. 

" In contemplating the causes which may 
disturb our union, it occurs as matter of very 
serious concern, that any ground should have 
been furnished for characterising parties by 
geographical discriminations, Northern and 
Southern — -Atlantic and Western ; whence 
designing men may endeavour to excite a 
belief that there is a real difference of local 
interests and views. One of the expedients of 
party to acquire influence within a particular 
district, is to misrepresent the opinions and 
aims of other districts. You cannot shield 
yourselves too much against the jealousies 
and heart-burning&\vhich spring from these 
misrepresentations ; they tend to render alien 
to each other those who ought to be bound to- 



204 THE LIFE OF 

gether by fraternal affection. The inhabitants 
of our western country have lately had a useful 
lesson on this head j they have seen, in the 
negociation by the executive, and in the 
unanimous ratification by the senate, of the 
treaty with Spain, and in the universal satis- 
faction at the event throughout the United 
States, a decisive proof how unfounded were 
the suspicions propagated among them, of a 
policy in the general government, and in the 
Atlantic States, unfriendly to their interests 
in regard to the Mississippi ; they have been 
witnesses to the formation of two treaties, 
that with Great Britain and that with Spain, 
which secure to them every thing they could 
desire, in respect to our foreign relations, to- 
wards confirming their prosperity. Will it 
not be their wisdom to rely for the preserva- 
tion of these advantages on the union by 
which they were procured ? Will they not 
henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if such 
there are, who would sever them from their 
brethren and connect them with aliens ? 

" To the efficacy and permanence of your 
union, a government for the whole is indis- 
pensable. No alliance, however strict, be- 
tween the parts, can be an adequate substi- 
tute ; they must inevitably experience the 
infractions and interruptions which all allian- 



WASHINGTON.- 205 

ces in all times, have experienced. Sensible 
*of this momentous truth, you have improved 
upon your first essay, by the adoption of a 
-constitution of government better calculated 
than your former by an intimate union, and 
for the efficacious management of your com- 
mon concerns. The government, the off- 
spring of our own choice, uninfluenced and 
tinawed, adopted upon full investigation and 
mature deliberation, completely free in its 
principles, in the distribution of its powers, 
uniting security with energy, and containing 
within itself a provision for its own amend- 
ment, has a just claim to your confidence and 
to your support. Respect for its authority, 
compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its 
measures, are duties enjoined by the funda- 
mental maxims of true liberty. The basis 
of our political system is the right of the peo- 
ple to make and to alter their constitutions 
of government ; but the constitution which 
at any time exists, till changed by an explicit 
and authentic act of the whole people, is sa- 
credly obligatory upon all. The very idea of 
the power and the right of the people to es- 
tablish government, presupposes the duty of 
every individual to obey the established go- 
vernment. 

" All obstructions to the execution of the 
taws, all combinations and associations, un- 



206 THE LIFE OP 

der whatever plausible character, with the 
real design, to direct, controul, counteract, or 
awe the regular deliberation and action of 
the constituted authorities, are destructive of 
this fundamental principle, and of fatal ten- 
dency. They serve to organize faction, to 
give it an artificial and extraordinary force — 
to put in the place of the delegated will of the 
nation, the will of the party, often a small 
but artful and enterprising minority of tht 
community ; and, according to the alternate 
triumphs of different parties, to make the 
public administration the mirror of the ill- 
concerted and incongruous projects of a fac- 
tion, rather than the organ of consistent and 
wholesome plans digested by common coun- 
cils, and modified by mutual interests. 

" However constitutions or associations of 
the above description may now and then an- 
swer popular ends, they are likely, in the 
course of time and things, to become potent 
engines, by which cunning, ambitious and 
unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert 
the power of the people, and to usurp for 
themselves the reigns of government ; destroy- 
ing afterwards the very engines which have 
lifted them to unjust dominion. 

"Towards the preservation of your govern- 
ment, and the permanency of your present 



WASHINGTON. 207 

happy state, it is requisite not only that you 
steadily discountenance irregular opposition 
to its acknowledged authority, but also that 
you resist with care the spirit of innovation 
upon its principles, however spacious the 
pretexts. One method of assault may be to 
effect in the form of the constitution, altera- 
tions which will impair the energy of the sys- 
tem, and thus to undermine what cannot be 
directly overthrown. In all the changes to 
which you may be invited, remember that 
time and habit are at least as necessary to 
fix the true character of government as of 
other human institutions — that experience is 
the surest standard by which to test the real 
tendency of the existing constitutions of a 
country — that facility in changes upon the 
credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, ex- 
poses to perpetual change, from the endless 
variety of hypothesis and opinion ; and re- 
member, especially, that for the efficient man- 
agement of your common interests, in a 
country so extensive as ours, a government 
of as much vigour as is consistent with the 
perfect security of liberty is indispensible. — 
Liberty itself will find in such a government, 
with powers properly distributed and adjust- 
ed, the surest guardian. It is 3 indeed little 
else than a name, where the government is 



208 THE LIFE OF 

too feeble to withstand the enterprises of 
faction, to confine each member of the socie- 
ty within the limits prescribed by the laws, 
and to maintain all in the tranquil and secure 
enjoyment of the rights of person and pro- 
perty. 

" I have already intimated to you the dan- 
ger of parties in the state, with particular re- 
ference to the founding of them on geogra- 
phical discriminations. Let me now take a 
more comprehensive view, and warn you in 
the most solemn manner against the baneful 
effects of the spirit of party generally. 

" This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable 
from our nature, having its root in the strong- 
est passions of the human mind. It exists 
under different shapes in all governments, 
more or less stifled, controuled, or oppressed: 
but in those of the popular form it is often in 
its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst 
enemy. 

" The alternate domination of one faction 
over another, sharpened by the spirit of re- 
venge natural to party dissention, which in 
different ages and countries has perpetrated 
the most horrid cruelties, is itself a most hor- 
rid despotism. The disorders and miseries 
which result, gradually incline the minds of 
men to seek security and repose in the abso- 



WASHINGTON. 209 

lute power of an individual ; and, sooner or 
later, the chief of some prevailing faction, 
more able or more fortunate that his competi- 
tors, turns this disposition to the purposes of 
his own elevation, on the ruins of public li^ 
berty. 

" Without looking forward to an extremi- 
ty of this kind (which, nevertheless, ought 
not to be entirely out of sight) the common 
and continued mischiefs of the spirit of party 
are sufficient to make it the interest and duty 
of a wise people to discourage and restrain if„ 

<c It serves always to distract the public 
councils, and enfeeble the public adminis- 
tration. It agitates the community with ill- 
founded jealousies and false alarms ; kindles 
the animosity of one part against another ;. 
foments occasionally riot and insurrection. — 
It opens the door to foreign influence and 
corruption, which find a facilitated access to 
the government itself through the channels of 
party passions. Thus the policy and the will 
of one country are subjected to the policy 
and will of another. 

" There is an opinion that parties in free 
countries are useful checks upon the admin- 
istration of the government, and serve to 
keep alive the spirit of liberry. This within. 
•ertain limits is probably true ; and in go. • 



s 



210 THE LIFE OF 

vern merits of a monarchial cast, patriotism 
may look with indulgence, if not with fa- 
vour, upon the spirit of party. But in those 
of the popular character, in governments 
partly elective, it is a spirit not to be encour- 
aged. From their natural tendency, it is 
certain there will always be enough of that 
spirit for every salutary purpose. And there 
being constant danger of excess, the effect 
ought to be by force of public opinion to 
mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be 
quenched ; it demands an uniform vigilance 
to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, in- 
stead of warming, it should consume. 

" It is important, likewise, that the habits 
of thinking, in a free country, should inspire 
with caution those entrusted with its admin- 
istration, to confine themselves within their 
respective constitutional spheres, avoiding, 
in the exercise of the powers of one depart- 
ment to encroach upon another. The spirit 
of encroachment tends to consolidate the 
powers of all the departments in one, and 
thus to create, whatever the form of govern- 
ment, real despotism. A just estimate of 
that love of power, and pronenessto abuse it, 
which predominates in the human heart, is 
sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this po* 
sition. The necessity of reciprocal checks 



WASHINGTON. 21 i 

in the exercise of political powers, by divid- 
ing and distributing it into different repositor- 
ies, and constituting each the guardian of 
the public weal against invasions by the 
others, has been evinced by experiments an- 
cient and modern : some of them in our 
country, and under our own eyes. To pre- 
serve them must be as necessary as to insti- 
tute them. If, in the opinion, of the people, 
the distribution and modification of the con- 
stitutional powers be in any particular wrong, 
let it be corrected by an amendment in the 
way which the constitution designates. But 
let there be no change by usurpation , for 
though this, in one instance, may be the in- 
strument of good, it is the customary weapon 
by which free governments are destroyed.— 
The precedent must always greatly overbal- 
ance in permanent evil any partial or tran- 
sient benefit which the use can at any time 
yield. 

"Of all the dispositions and habits which 
lead to political prosperity, religion and mo- 
rality are indispensible supporters. In vain 
would that man claim the tribute of patriot- 
ism, who should labour to subvert these great 
pillars of human happiness, these firmest 
props of men and citizens. The mere poli- 
tician, equally with the pious man, ought to 



212 THE LIFE OF 

respect and to cherish them. A volume 
could not trace all their connections with 
private and public felicity. Let it be simply 
asked, where is the security for property, for 
reputation, for life, if the sense of religious 
obligation desert the oaths which are the in- 
struments of investigation in courts of jus- 
tice ? And let us with caution indulge the 
supposition, that morality can be maintained 
without religion. Whatever may be conced- 
ed to the influence of refined education on 
minds of peculiar structure -, reason and ex- 
perience both forbid us to expect that nation- 
al morality can prevail in exclusion of reli- 
gious principle. 

" Tis substantially true, that virtue or 
morality is a necessary spring of popular go- 
vernment. The rule, indeed, extends with 
more or less force to every species of free 
government. Who, that is a sincere friend 
to it, can look with indifference upon at- 
tempts to shake the foundation of the fabric r* 

" Promote, then, as an object of primary 
importance, institutions for the general effu- 
sion of knowledge. In proportion as the 
structure of government gives torce to pub- 
lic opinion, it is essential that public opinion 
should be enlightened. 

" As a very important source of strength 
and security, cherish public credit. One 






^WASHINGTON. 2 13 

method of preserving it is to use it as sparing- 
ly as possible ; avoiding occasions of ex- 
pence by cultivating peace, but remember- 
ing also, that timely disbursements, to pre- 4 
pare for danger, frequently prevent much 
greater disbursements to repel it, avoiding 
likewise the accumulation of debt, not only 
by shunning occasions of expence, but by 
vigorous exertions in time of peace to dis- 
charge the debts which unavoidable wars 
may have occasioned, not ungenerously 
throwing upon posterity the burthen which 
we ourselves ought to bear. The execution 
of these maxims belongs to your representa- 
tives, but it is necessary that the public opin- 
ion should co-operate. To fecilitate to them 
the performance of their duty, it is essential 
that you should practically bear in mind, that 
towards the payment of debts there must be 
a revenue ; that to have a revenue there must 
be taxes ; that no taxes can be devised which 
are not more or less inconvenient and un- 
pleasant : that the intrinsic embarrasment 
inseparable from the selection of the proper 
objects (which is always a choice of difficul- 
ties) ought to be a decisive motive for a can- 
did construction of the conduct of the gov- 
ernment in making it, and for a spirit of 
acquiescence in the measures for obtaining 






214 THE LIFE OF 

revenue, which the public exigencies may at 
any time dictate. 

" Observe good faith and justice towards 

* all nations; cultivate peace and harmony 
with all. Religion and morality enjoin this 
conduct ; and can it be that good policy does 
not equally enjoin it ? It will be worthy of 
a free, enlightened, and, at no great distant 
period, a great nation, to give to mankind 
the magnanimous, and too novel, example of 
a people always guided by an exalted justice 
and benevolence. Who can doubt that in 
the course of time and things the fruits of 
such a plan would richly repay any tempora- 
ry advantages which might be lost by a stea- 
dy adherence to it ? Can it be that Provi- 
dence has not connected the permanent feli- 
city of a nation with its virtue ? The experi- 
ment, at least, is recommended by every 
sentiment which ennobles human nature. — 
Alas ! is it rendered impossible by its vices? 
" In the execution of such a plan, nothing 
is more essential than that permanent, inve- 

>• terate antipathies against particular nations, 
and passionate attachments for others, should 
be excluded ; and that in place of them, just 
and amicable feelings towards all should be 
cultivated. The nation which indulges to- 
wards another an habitual hatred, or an ha- 



WASHINGTON. 215 

bitual fondness, is in some degree a slave.— 
It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, 
either of which is sufficient to lead it astray 
from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in 
one nation against another disposes each more 
readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold 
of slight causes of umbrage and to be haugh- 
ty and intractable, when accidental or trifling 
occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent 
collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody 
contests. The nation prompted by ill-will 
and resentment, sometimes impels to war the 
government, contrary to the best calculations 
of policy. The government sometimes par- 
ticipates in the national propensity, and 
adopts through passion what reason would 
reject ; at other times it makes the animosi- 
ty of the nation subservient to projects of hos- 
tility, instigated by pride, ambition, and other 
sinister and pernicious motives. The peace 
often, sometimes perhaps the liberty of na- 
tions, has been the victim. 

" So, likewise, a passionate attachment of 
one nation for another produces a variety of 
evils. Sympathy for the favourite nation, 
facilitating the illusion of an imaginary com- 
mon interest, in cases where no real com-. 
men interest exists, and infusing into one the 
enmities of the other, betrays the former into 



216 THE LIFE OP 

a participation in the quarrels and wars ot 
the latter, without adequate inducement or 
justification. It leads also to concessions to 
the favourite nation of privileges denied to 
others, which is apt doubly to injure the na- 
tion making the concessions; by unneces- 
sarily parting with what ought to have been 
retained ; and by exciting jealousy, ill-will, 
and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties 
from whom equal privileges are withheld^ 
and it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or delu* 
ded citizens, (who devote themselves to the 
favourite nation) facility to betray or sacrifice 
the interests of their own country, without 
odium, sometimes even with popularity^ 
gilding with the appearance of a virtuous 
scene of obligation, a commendable defer- 
ence for public opinion, or a laudable zeal 
for public good, the base or foolish compli- 
ances of ambition, corruption or infatuation. 
" As the avenue to foreign influence in in- 
numerable ways, such attachments are par- 
ticularly alarming to the truly enlightened 
and independent patriot. How many op- 
portunities do they afford to tamper with do- 
mestic factions, to practice the arts of seduc- 
tion, to mislead public opinion, to influence 
or awe the public councils ! Such an 
attachment of a small or weak, towards a 
great and powerful nation, dooms the former 
to be the sattellite of the latter. 



WASHINGTON. 217 

*' Against the insidious wiles of foreign in- 
fluence, (I conjure you to believe me, fellow- 
citizens) the jealousy of a free people 
ought to be constantly awake ; since history 
and experience prove that foreign influence 
is one of the most baneful foes of a republi- 
can government. But that jealousy, to be 
useful, must be impartial ; else it becomes 
the instrument of the very influence to be 
avoided instead of a defence against it. Ex- 
cessive partiality for one nation, and exces- 
sive dislike of another, cause those whom 
they actuate to see danger only on one side, 
and serve to veil, and even second the arts of 
influence on the other. Real patriots who 
may resist the intrigues of the favourite, are 
liable to become suspected and odious ; while 
the tools and dupes usurp the applause and 
confidence of the people, to surrender their 
interests. 

" The great rule of conduct for us, in re- 
gard to foreign nations, is, in extending our 
commercial relations, to have with them as 
little political connection as possible. So 
far as he we have already formed engage- 
ments let them be fulfilled with perfect good 
faith. Here let us stop. 

" Europe has a set of primary interests, 
which to us have none, or a very remote rela- 

T 



218 THE LIFE OP 

tion. Hence she must be engaged in fre- 
quent controversies, the causes of which are 
essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, 
therefore, it must be unwise in us to impli- 
cate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary 
vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary 
combinations and collisions of her friendships 
or enmities. 

" Our detached and distant situation in- 
vites and enables us to pursue a different 
course, if we remain one people, under an 
efficient government, the period is not far off 
when we may defy material injury from ex- 
ternal annoyance ; when we may take such 
an attitude as will cause the neutrality we 
may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupu- 
lously respected : when belligerent nations, 
under the impossibility of making acquisi- 
tions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giv- 
ing us provocation ; when we may choose 
peace or war, as our interest, guided by jus- 
tice, shall counsel. 

" Why forego the advantages of so pecu- 
liar a situation ? Why quit our own to stand 
upon foreign ground ? W r hy by interweav- 
ing our destiny with that of any part of Eu- 
rope, entangle our peace and prosperity in 
the toils of European ambition, rivalship, in- 
terest, humour, or caprice ? 

to L 



WASHINGTON. 219 

" It is our true policy to steer clear of per- 
manent alliances with any portion of the for- 
eign world ; so far, I mean, as we are now at 
liberty to do it ; for let me not be understood 
as capable of patronizing infidelity to exist- 
ing engagements. I hold the maxim no less 
applicable to public than to private affairs, 
that honesty is always the best policy. I re- 
peat it, therefore, let those engagements be 
observed in their genuine sense. But, in my 
opinion, it is unnecessary, and would be un- 
wise to extend them. 

" Taking care always to keep ourselves, 
by suitable establishments, on a respectable 
defensive posture, we may safely trust to 
temporary alliances for extraordinary emer- 
gencies. 

" Harmony, liberal intercourse with all 
nations, are recommended by policy, human- 
ity, and interest. But even our commercial 
policy should hold an equal and .impartial 
hand ; neither seeking nor granting exclu- 
sive favours or preferences ; consulting the 
natural course of things ; diffusing and di- 
versifying by gentle means the streams of 
commerce, but forcing nothing: establish- 
ing, with powers so disposed, in order to give 
trade a stable course, to define the rights oJP 
our merchants, and to enable the govern- 



220 ihE LIFE OF 

ment to support them, conventional rules of 
intercourse, the best that present circumstan- 
ces and mutual opinion will permit, but tem- 
porary, and liable to be from time to time 
abandoned or varied, as experience and cir- 
cumstances shall dictate ; constantly keeping 
in view, that it is folly in one nation to look for 
disinterested favours from another ; that it 
must pay with a portion of its independence 
for whatever it may accept under that char- 
acter : that by such acceptance, it may place 
itself in the condition of having given equi- 
valents for nominal favours, and yet of being 
reproached with ingratitude for not giving 
more. There can be no greater error than 
to expect, or calculate upon real favours from 
nation to nation. It is an illusion which ex- 
perience must cure, which a just pride ought 
to discard. 

" In offering to you, my countrymen, 
these counsels of an old and affectionate 
friend, I dare not hope they will make the 
strong and lasting impression I could wish; 
that they will controul the usual current of 
the passions, or prevent our nation from run- 
nine: the course which has hitherto marked 
the destiny of nations. But if I may even 
flatter myself that they may be productive of 
some partial benefit, some occasional good ; 



WASHINGTON. 221 

that they may now and then recur to moder- 
ate the fury of party spirit, to warn against 
the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard 
against the impostures of pretended patriot- 
ism : this hope will be a full recompence for 
the solicitude for your welfare, by which they 
have been dictated. 

" How far in the discharge of my official 
duties I have been guided by the principles 
which have been delineated, the public re- 
cords ; and other evidences of my conduct, 
must witness to you and to the world. To 
myself, the assurance of my own conscience 
is, that I have at least believed myself to be 
guided by them. 

" In relation to the still subsisting war in 
Europe, my proclamation of the 22d of April, 
1793, is the index to my plan. Sanctioned 
by your approving voice, and by that of your 
representatives in both houses of Congress, 
the spirit of that measure has continually gov- 
erned me ; uninfluenced by any attempts to 
deter or to divert me from it. 

" After deliberate examination, with the 
aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was 
well satisfied that our country, under all the 
circumstances of the case, had aright to take, 
and was bound in duty and interest to take a 
neutral position. Having taken it, I dele> 

T 2 



'222 THE LIFE OF 

mined, as far as should depend upon me, to 
maintain it with moderation, perseverance, 
and firmness. 

" The considerations with respect to the 
right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary, 
on this occasion, to detail. I will only ob- 
serve, that according to my understanding of 
the matter, that right, so far from being de- 
nied by any of the belligerent powers, has 
been virtually admitted by all. 

" The duty of holding a neutral conduct 
may be inferred, without any thing more 
from the obligation which justice and hu- 
manity impose on every nation in cases in 
which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate 
the relations of peace and amity towards 
other nations. 

" The inducements of interest for observ- 
ing that conduct will best be referred to your 
own reflections and experience. With me a 
predominate motive has been to endeavour to 
gain time to our country to settle and mature 
its yet recent institutions, and to progress 
without interruption to that degree of strength 
and consistency which is necessary to give 
it, humbly speaking, the command of its own 
fortunes. 

" Though in reviewing the incidents of ad- 
ministration, I am unconscious of intentional 



WASHINGTON. 225 

error ; I am nevertheless too sensible of my 
defects not to think it probable that I may 
have committed many errors. Whatever 
they may be, I fervently beseech the Almigh- 
ty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they 
may tend. I shall also carry with me the 
hope that my country will never cease to view 
them with indulgence ; and that after forty- 
five years of my life dedicated to its service, 
with an upright zeal, the faults of incompe- 
tent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, 
as myself must soon be to the mansions of 
rest. 

" Relying on its kindness in this as in other 
things, and actuated by that fervent love to- 
wards it, which is so natural to a man who 
views in it the native soil of himself and his 
progenitors for several generations ; I antici- 
pate, with pleasing expectation, that retreat, 
in which I promise myself to realise, without 
alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in 
the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign 
influence of good laws under a free govern- 
ment, the ever favourite object of my heart 
and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mu- 
tual cares, labours, and dangers. 

"GEO: WASHINGTON." 

United Slates, September 17, 1796. 

Washington once more retired to his fa- 
vourite seat, with the hope of devoting the 



£24 THE LIFE OF 

remainder of his life to the calm duties of re- 
ligion. From March, 1797, to July, 1798, 
he enjoyed the pleasures arising from the 
practice of virtue. The aggressions of France 
now alarmed the Americans, and that they 
might be prepared to resist open hostility, 
they found it expedient to embody their ar- 
my. Convinced of the abilities and integrity 
of that venerable man, whose valour had 
been instrumental to the emancipation of his 
country, Congress appointed Washington 
commander-in-chief of the American armies. 
He accepted the appointment, and his letter 
to the President on that occasion is marked 
with the perspicuity which distinguishes all 
his writings. 

But the moment now approached in which 
this illustrious character was to be removed to 
another state of existence. On the 12th of 
December, 1799, he rode out to one of his 
plantations, and the day being rainy, he 
caught cold, which brought on an inflamma- 
tory sore throat. This disease became 
alarming on Friday, and when his physician 
arrived on Saturday morning, medical aid 
was inefficacious. A few minutes before he 
expired, he enquired, " Doctor, how long 
am I to remain in this situation ?" The phy- 
sician replied "not long, sir." 



WASHINGTON. 225 

We have now attended Washington to his 
death bead, where he lies surrounded by his 
weeping friends aud domestics. With what 
calmness and resignation does he bear his 
pains. Intent on the contemplation of a bet- 
ter world, death has no terrors for the vener- 
able hero. He has long been familiarised to 
danger, and considers the dissolution of his 
frame as one of the necessary operations of 
nature. Piety to his Creator, and love of his 
country, were the motives of his actions, and 
he considered a life of beneficence as the best 
proof he could give of his veneration for the 
father of man. Now, like a traveller, who 
had explored various regions, and who, hav- 
ing experienced the alterations of adversity 
and prosperity, has arrived at his journey's 
end, he lays down his head to repose, with 
the hope of rising to a happy immortality. 

His last scene corresponded with the whole 
tenor of his life. In the full possession of his 
reason he breathed his last, without a groan 
or a struggle, on Sunday, the 14th of D. cem- 
ber, 1799, in the 68th year of his age. 

On Wednesday, the 1 8th ot December, the 
remains of Washington were interred in the 
family vault at Mount Vernon. The funeral 
was attended by a multitude of persons of 
both sexes who came to pay the last sad hon- 
ours to their benefactor. 



226 THE LIFE OF 

The following is a correct account of his Inter- 
ment at Mount Vernon. 
On Wednesday last the mortal part of 
Washington the Great, the father of his 
country and the friend of man, was consigned 
to the tomb, with solemn honours and funeral 
pomp. 

Between three and four o'clock the corpse 
was moved, a band of music, with mournful 
melody, melted the soul in all the tenderness 
of woe. 

The procession was formed, and moved in 
the following order : 

Cavalry — — Infantry Guards, 

(With arms reversed.) 
Music. 
Clergy. 
The General's horse, with his saddle, hols- 
ters and pistols. 
Colonel Simms, H Colonel Gilpin, 

Ramsay, n> Marsteller, 

m Payne, W Little. 

Mourners. 

Masonic Brethren. 

Citizens. 

When the procession had arrived at the 

bottom of the elevated lawn, on the banks of 

the Potomac, where the family vault is placed T 



WASHINGTON. 227 

the cavalry halted, the infantry marched to- 
wards the Mount, and formed the lines -, the 
clergy, the Masonic Brothers, and the citi- 
zens, descended to the vault, and the funeral 
service of the church was performed. -* 

Three general discharges by the infantry, 
the cavalry, eleven pieces of artillery, which 
lined the banks of the Potomac, and from a 
vessel that lay in the river, paid the last tri- 
bute to the entomed commander-in-chief of 
the armies of the United States, and to the 
venerable departed hero. 

The sun was now setting. Alas ! the 
Sun of Glory was set forever. No — the 
name of Washington, the American Pre- 
sident and General, will triumph over death : 
the unclouded brightness of his glory, will 
illuminate future ages. 

Congress have decreed, that the remains 
of the American hero should be removed to 
the capitol in the City of Washington, and 
interred under a column, insculptured with 
an account of his principal atchievements. — 
The President has written to Mrs. Washing- 
ton for her concurrence, and that amiable 
woman has reluctantly consented. The fol- 
lowing letters were on the 8th of January, 
3 800, sent to Congress by the President o£ 
the United States. 



228 THE LIFE OF 

" Gentlemen of the Senate^ and 
" Gentlemen of the House of Representatives > 
" In compliance with the request in one 
of the resolutions of Congress of the 21st of 
December last, I transmitted a copy of those 
resolutions by my secretary, Mr. Shaw, to 
Mrs. Washington, assuring her of the pro- 
found respect Congress will ever bear to her 
person and character — of their condolence in 
' the late afflicting dispensation of Providence, 
and entreating her assent to the interment of 
the remains of Gen. George Washington, 
in the manner expressed in the first resolu- 
tion. As the sentiments of that virtuous la- 
dy, not less beloved by this nation, than she 
is at present greatly afflicted, can never be 
so well expressed as in her own words, I 
transmit to Congress her original letter. 

" It would be an attempt of too much de- 
licacy, to make any comments upon it — but 
there can be no doubt that the nation at large, 
as well as all the branches of the govern- 
ment, will be highly gratified by any arrange- 
ment which may diminish the sacrifice she 
makes of her individual feelings. 

"JOHN ADAMS. 

" United States, January S, 1800." 

"MoiiyjVERN^-,^. 3r, 1799. 

" Sir — While 1 feel with keenest anguish 
the late dispensation oi Divine Providence , 



WASHINGTON. 229 

I cannot be insensible to the mournful tributes 
of respect and veneration, which are paid to 
the memory of my dear deceased husband, 
and, as his best services and most anxious 
wishes, were always devoted to the welfare 
and happiness of his country, to know that 
they were truly appreciated, and gratefully 
remembered, affords no inconsiderable con- 
solation. 

" Taught by the great example, which I 
have had so long before me never to oppose 
my private wishes to the public will, I must 
consent to the request made by Congress, 
which you have had the goodness to transmit 
to me, and in doing this I need not — lean- 
not say what a sacrifice of individual feeling 
I make to a sense of public duty. 

" With grateful acknowledgment and un- 
feigned thanks for the personal respect and 
evidences of condolence expressed by Con- 
gress and yourself, 

wC I remain, very respectfully, sir, 
" Your most obedient and 
" Humble servant, 
« MARTHA WASHINGTON. 
" The President of the United States" 

The will of this great man displays the 
same moderation and goodness of heart which 
actuated him throughout his life. May his 

u 



£30 THE LIFE OF 

example excite the emulation of his country- 
men, who have been too long restrained by 
interest from yielding to the generous impulse 
of humanity, and restoring their slaves to 
that liberty which is the birthright of man. 
Extracts of the most interesting passages from 
the ivilt of Washington. 

" In the name of Cod, Amen-— I, George 
Washington, of Mount Vernon, a citizen of 
the United States, and lately President of the 
same, do make, ordain, and declare this in- 
strument, which is -written with my own 
hand, and every page thereof subscribed with 
my name, to be my last will and testament, 
revoking all others. 

" 1 'm/>rimis.— -All my debts, of which there 
are but few, and none of magnitude, are to 
be punctually and speedily paid ; and the 
legacies hereafter bequeathed are to be dis- 
charged as soon as circumstances will permit, 
and in the manner directed. 

" Item. — To my dearly beloved wife, 
Martha Washington, I give and bequeath 
the use, profit, and benefit of my whole es- 
tate, realand personal, forthe termofhernatur- 
al life, except such parts thereof, as are special- 
ly disposed of hereafter. My improved lot in 
the town of Alexandria, situated in Pitt and 
Cameron-streets, I give to her and her heirs 
forever, as I also do my household and kitch- 



WASHINGTON. 231 

£n furniture of every sort and kind, with the 
liquors and groceries which may be on hand 
at the time of my decease, to be used and 
disposed of as she may think proper. 

" Item. — Upon the decease of my wife, it 
is my will and desire, that all the slaves which 
I hold in my own right shall receive their 
freedom. To emancipate them during her 
life would, though earnestly wished by me, 
be attended with such insuperable difficul- 
ties, on account of their intermixture by mar- 
riages with the dower negroes, as to excite 
the most painful sensations, if not disagreea- 
ble consequences, from the latter, while both 
descriptions are in the occupancy of the same 
proprietor ; it not being in my power, under 
the tenure by which the dower negroes are 
held, to manumit them. And whereas 
among those who will receive freedom ac- 
cording to this demise, there may be some- 
who, from old age or bodily infirmities, and 
others who, on account of their infancy, wilT 
be unable to support themselves, it is my will 
and desire, that all who come under the first 
and second description, shall be comfortably 
clothed and fed by my heirs while they live \. 
and that such of the latter description as have 
no parents living, or if living, are unable or 
unwilling to provide for them, shall be bound 
by the court till they shall arrive at the age 



232 THE LIFE OF 

of twenty-five years; and in cases where no 
record can be produced whereby their ages 
can be ascertained, the judgment of the 
court, upon its own view of the subject, 
shall be adequate and final. The negroes 
thus bound, are (by their masters or mistres- 
ses) to be taught to read and write, and to be 
brought up to some useful occupation, agreea- 
bly to the laws of the Commonwealth ot \ ir- 
ginia, providing for the support of orphan 
and other poor children. And 1 do hereby 
expressly forbid the sale, or transportation out 
of the said Commonwealth, of any slave I 
may be possessed of, under any pretence 
whatever. And I do moreover most solemn- 
I) and most pointedly enjoin it upon my exe- 
cutors hereafter named, or the survivor of 
them, to see that this clause respecting slaves, 
and every part thereof, be religiously fulfilled 
at the epoch at which it is directed to take 
place, without evasion, neglect, or delay, af- 
ter the crops which then may be in the 
ground are harvested, particularly as it re- 
spects the aged and infirm ; seeing that a 
regular and permanent fund be established 
for their support as long as they are subjects 
requiring it, not trusting to the uncertain 
provision to be made by individuals. 

" Item^—To the trustees, (governors, or by 
whatsoever name they may be designated,) 



WASHINGTON. 235 

of the academy in the town of Alexandria, 
I give and bequeath (intrust) four thousand 
dollars, or in other words, twenty of the 
shares which I hold in the Bank of Alexan- 
dria, towards the support of a free school, es- 
tablished at and annexed to the said acade- 
my, for the purpose of educating such orphan 
children, or the children of such other poor 
and indigent persons as are unable to accom- 
plish it with their own means ; and who, in. 
the judgment of the trustees of the said semi- 
nary, are best entitled to the benefit of this 
donation. 

" Item. — I give and bequeath, in perpetuity 
the fifty shares I hold in the Potomac Com- 
pany (under the aforesaid acts of the Legisla- 
ture of Virginia,) towards the endowment of 
a university, to be established within the 
limits of the District of Columbia, under 
the auspices of the general government, if 
that government should incline to extend a 
fostering hand towards it; and until such 
seminary is established, and the funds arising 
in those shares shall be required for its sup- 
port, my further will and desire is, that the 
profit accruing therefrom shall, whenever the 
dividends are made, be laid out in purchasing 
stock in the Bank of Columbia, or some other 
bank, at the discretion of my executors, or 
u 2 



234 THE LIFE OF 

by the Treasurer of the United States for the 
time being, under the direction of Congress, 
provided that honourable body should pa- 
tronize the measure, and the dividends pro- 
ceeding from the purchase of such a stock, 
are to be vested in more stock, and so on un- 
til a sum adequate to the accomplishment of 
the object is obtained ; of which I have not 
*he smallest doubt before many years pass 
*way, even if no aid or encouragement be 
given by legislative authority, or from any 
ether source. 

« Jiem, — To my brother, Charles Wash- 
ington, I give and bequeath the gold-headed 
cane left me by Doctor Franklin, in his will. 
] add nothing to it, because of the ample 
provision I have made for his issue. To the 
acquaintances and friends of my juvenile 
years, Lawrence Washington and Robert 
Washington, of Chotank, I give my other 
two gold-headed canes, having my arms en- 
graved on them 5 and to each, (as they will 
be useful where they live) I leave one of the 
spy- glasses, which constituted part of my 
equipage during the late war. To my com? 
patriot in arms, and old intimate friend, Dr. 
Craik, I give my bureau ; or, as the cabinet- 
makers call it, tambour secretary, and the 
circular chair, an appendage to my study. — 
To Dw D.Stuart, I give my large shaving and 



WASHINGTON. 2S5 

dressing table, and my telescope. To the 
Reverend, now Bryan Lord Fairfax, I give a 
bible, in three large folio volumes, with 
notes, presented to me by the Right Rever- 
end Thomas Wilson, Bishop ofSoder and 
Man. To General de la Fayette, I give a 
pair of finely wrought steel pistols taken from 
the enemy in the revolutionary war. To 
each of my nephews, William Augustine 
Washington', George Lewis, George Steptoe 
Washington, Bushrod Washington, and Sa- 
muel Washington, I give one of the swords or 
cutteaux, of which I die possessed ; and they 
are to choose inthe order they they are named. 
These swords are accompanied with an in- 
junction not to unsheath them for the purpose 
of shedding blood, except it be for self-de- 
fence, or in defence of their country and its 
rights ; and in the latter case to keep them un- 
sheathed, and prefer falling with them in their 
hands to the relinquishment thereof. 

" The family vault at Mount Vernon re- 
quiring repairs, and being improperly situat- 
ed besides, I desire that a new one of brick, 
and upon a larger scale, may be built at the 
foot of what is commonly calied the Vine- 
yard Inclosure, on the ground which is mark- 
ed out ; in which my remains, with those of 
my deceased relations (now in the old vault,) 
and such others of my family as may choose 



236 THE LIFE OF 

to be entombed there, may be deposited. — 
And it is my express desire, that my corpse 
may be interred in a private manner, with- 
out parade or funeral oration. 

" Lastly, I constitute and appoint my dear- 
ly beloved wife, Martha Washington, my 
nephews, William Augustine Washington, 
Bushrod Washington, George Steptoe Wash- 
ington, Samuel Washington, and Lawrence 
Lewis, and my ward, George Washington 
Park Curtis, (when he shall have arrived at 
the age of twenty years,) executrix and ex- 
executors of this will and testament. " 

Washington was tall, erect, and well made, 
but thin. His eyes eyes were light blue, his 
nose rather long, and his countenance was 
expressive of extreme sensibility. His de- 
meanor was dignified and modest. He was af- 
fable, generous and conscientious. His valua- 
ble library, and his correspondence with emi- 
nent men, furnished him with a rich fund of 
knowledge, and the productions of his pen 
are perspicuous and sensible. He was an 
affectionate husband, a disinterested friend, 
a benign master, and a benefactor to the in- 
digent. He practised the social virtues not 
merely because they were enjoined by reli- 
gion, but from his innate love of rectitude. 

The similarity between his public virtues 
and those of Alfred the Great, is admirable. 



WASHINGTON. 237 

These extraordinary men were both celebra- 
ted for their love of justice, their fortitude, 
patriotism, and piety. When Alfred ex- 
changed the military garb for that of the 
peasant, he suffered a greater reverse of for- 
tune than ever befel Washington, and when 
in disguise he explored the camp of the 
Danes, and lulled suspicion by the melody of 
his harp, he evinced a more enterprising ge- 
nius than that ofthe American. The capture 
of the Hessians at Trenton, however, reminds 
us of the achievements of Alfred, who, by 
surprising the Danish camp, revived the 
hopes of his country. Washington founded 
a republic j he was instrumental to the es- 
tablishment of its polity, and retired "with 
all his blushing honours thick upon him >" 
obedient to the will of his country he again 
assumed the command of her armies, and 
died as he had lived, a true patriot. Alrred, 
by the subjugation of his country's enemies, 
secured her liberties and peace ; he was " her 
voice in council, in the field hersw r ord." As 
a legislator, he immortalised his name by the 
institution of a trial by jury ; as a magistrate, 
he presided with unparalleled wisdom ; the 
sceptre of power was consecrated by his 
hand, and he was beloved, revered, nay, al- 
most deified by his countrymen. Washing- 
ton, in some instances, seems to have been 



238 THE LIFE OF 

undecided ; Alfred was energetic and de- 
termined in every emergency. Though their 
virtues were homogeneal, Alfred claims the 
palm for ardour and brilliancy of genius. — 
Washington excelled him in discretion ; he 
weighed the consequences of every step, and 
his prudence triumphed over opposition. In 
short, Alfred the Great was like the rising 
sun, which breaking through a dark cloud, 
illumines and beautifies the creation. His 
superior mind shone with an effulgence that 
dissipated the gloom of superstition and ig- 
norance which surrounded him, and, like the 
Vicegerent of Heaven, he promoted the hap- 
piness of the human species. Washington 
the Great, was like the declining sun that 
adorns the face of nature with the mildest 
radiance ; his actions, though not so brilliant 
as those of Alfred, were more imitable, and 
the virtuous American will be esteemed by 
posterity as worthy to stand in the same rank 
with the more illustrious Englishman. 

Perhaps the only instance in which the 
public conduct of Washington was censura- 
ble, was his condemnation of the unfortunate 
Andre. It must be owned, that he was a 
slave holder, and his exemplary kindness to his 
dependants, cannot reconcile us to that incon- 
sistency in a man who was so strenuous and 
successful an asserter of liberty. 



WASHINGTON. 239 

But these errors of the American hero were 
concealed by the dazzling lustre of his vir- 
tues. Our admiration is excited when we 
contemplate the series of his actions. When 
we behold him at the head of the army, then 
President of the United States, and afterwards 
breathing the pure air of his fields in the shade 
o\~ retirement, we confess that the venerable 
philosopher has attained what may be called 
the sublime of human nature. Just as Aris- 
tides, we behold him set his seal to that so- 
lemn engagement, by which he emancipates 
those slaves who were deprived of their liber- 
ties by the avarice of his ancestors ; and ac- 
tuated by the purest beneficence, he endows 
seminaries for the promotion of knowledge. 

In his comprehensive mind were united 
the disinterestedness of Cincinnatus ; the 
munificence of Cyrus the Great ; and the pie- 
ty of Marcus Aurelius. We may say of him 
as Augustus did of Cicero, " he was an hon- 
est man and loved his country." 

He was the brightest luminary of -liberty in 
the American hemisphere. May his country- 
men imitate that prudence which exalted 
them to a dignified place among the nations; 
may they practice those public and private vir- 
tues which irradiate the fair fame of W^Abii- 

1 1* G TON. 

THE END. 



SUBSCRIBERS NAMES 



A 

John Aymar 
James Anderson 
John Aveony 
Joseph Alden 
John Adamson 
Francis Arden 
Leonard Adams 
Cornelius Agnew 
John M'Anaspie 
P. I. Arcularius, jun. 
Thomas Addy 
Abraham Asten 
Thomas Aspen 
James Anderson 
Hugh Atkins 
William Allison 
D. Adams 
Seaman Allaire 
John Aitken 
Asa Ainald 
John Aitfin 
B 
William Benson 
L. Van Buskirk 
Jones Boweti 
James Bartow 
D.wid Bliss, 5 copies 
Henry Banta 
Tunis B-ll 
James Brown 
JaredJJeach 



John Biles 
Edward By nde 
John Barclay 
Elisha D. Baker 
John P. Bartlett 
Joseph Burjeau 
Alexander Boyd 
Benjamin M . Birdsall 
Corns. BrinkerhorF 
William Butler 
Richard Bingle 
Gilbert Bown 
James Brown 
Ebenezer Bedunah 
C. Blochberger 
Ruliff Bogert 
Nathan Baker 
Michael Breman 
William Boyd 
Cyrus Bedle 
William Batchelor 
Charles Bruce 
John G. Bogart 
James Brown 
Alexander Burn 
Edmund Brown 
William Bampton 
Henry Bowie 
James Brooks 
William Baley 
William Bound 
John Binks 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



Samuel R. Belville 
William Baker 
Noah Brown 
T. Bartholomew 
William Barker 
Thomas Brown 
John Bogg 
Duncan C. Boill 
R. S. Badger 
William Baley 
John Berry 
Josiah R. Brady 
John Van Bussum 
Benjamin Badeau 
James Burg 
Mary Brazier 
Wm. Burn 
Joseph Bellard 
Peter A. Blauvelt 
John Bowles 
William Ball 
Peter Barker 
William Burke 
John Betts 
Peter Byrne 
Joshua F. Batchelor 
Thomas Blackney 
James Bagley 
Jane Boyce 
George Burrell 
Stephen Burdett 
Eben. Brown 

C 
Jacob Cross 



John T. Cantermen 

Uzziah Codington 

Sutton Croft 

James Coe 

Joseph M. Clark 

Alexander Campbell 

Samuel Carpenter 

William Clarkson 

Solomon Crane 

H. Carhart 

Britain Cooper 

George W. Chapman 

James Curry 

James Cave 

R. Crommelin 

Daniel Craig 

John Carney 

William Coghlan 

Oliver Cromwell 

Moses Coe, jun. 

Martin Cavanaugh 

William Capes 
Dudley Char 
David Covert 
Jonah Cutting 
William Clark 
John P. Caverly 
Miles M-Carty 
Franklin Clark 
Jane Chear 
James CannVld 
Jacob Clark, jun. 
Isaac Conklin 
David A. Gumming 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



William Carver 
James D. Camp 
Thos. Chamberlain 
Asher Cownover 
John Cox 
John Carne 
Luff Carpenter 
Joseph Carpenter 
.fames Carver 
Joseph Cheesman 
James Cheetham 
J no. Crown 
Benj. Carpenter 
Coles Covert 
Elizabeth Campbell 
Amos Clark 
Gideon Carstang, jr. 
John Chandler 
John Con gen 
Nicholas Cox 
Stephen Corn well 
R. Commerraw, jim. 
John II. Carrick 
Benjamin Conklin 
Chs. Crommelin, jr. 
Joseph Craig 
fames Crichton 
Daniel C. Clark 
Alex. Campbell 
Abner Cunningham 
Lambert Cole 
David Clark 
John C. Crolius, jr. 



D 

James Davis 
John Day 
Richard Dunn 
Ambrose Dobbs 
Chas. Deberoise,jr. 
M. M'Donaugh' 
| Sewel Dodge 
j Jacob Downing 
J Gustavus Desabaye 
| Patrick Devoy 
j Frederick Demilt 
| Ross Duffy 
Daniel Dawson 
John Day, jun 
John Day 
Jacob Day 
Amos Dye 
George Durand 
Daniel Devoe 
A. Mathey Doret 
Charles S. Duma 
Thomas Dornin 
John Dunham 
C. Dusseaussoir 
Daniel Dexter 
John Demerest 
Joseph Deyo 
Aristides Dayton 
Jacob S. Davis 
Benjamin Dickson 
Genet Dyckman 



James Dubois 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



John Deva 
Jacob Dubois 
John Downs 
Dr. Wm. Drummond 
James Daly 
Jacob Dooresmus 
David J. Demarest 
William Donald 
William Decker 
Louis Doyle 
Anthony H. Doyer 
Christian Dederer, jr. 
John Dixon 

E 
Charles Eagleson 
Silvanus S. Ennes 
Abraham Emmet 
John Edwards 
John S. Eagles 
Abraham Eltin<* 
James Engle 
Joshua Evans 
Jos. Ellesby 
James Ennis 

F 
Elijah Fountan 
Linus Freeman 
James Farrell 
James Fielding 
Smith Freeman 
James Fisher 
John Fiynn 
Jonathan Feeks 
Richard M. Fern at 
Job Furman 



Michael Flanagan 
Nathan Franklin 
William Fanchcr 
John Fen ton 
San ford Free land 
Samuel Fulton 
William Foster 
Simon Fraser 
Charles Fisher 
John Farrenton 
Rhodes French 
J. Frank 

James Felthousen 
Nathaniel Freeman 
.fames Forest 
Richard Foorde 
William French 

G 
John Gardner 
John Garrison 
Thomas Gilbert 
Godfrey Grant 
George Gilpin 
William Gyler 
1'h o mas Graham 
Hugh Gamble 
Thomas Gardner 
Jonathan Gedney 
Matthias Goedersoot* 
Henry Gattey 
William Geiler 
James Gillon 
Amos Green 
John Gallagher 
Sarah Finchett 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



James Geery 
William Gerodet 
George Gasner 
William Gray 
Silas Gregory 
John Garretson 
William Garretson 
John Garret 
i lenry Griffen 
J. Gibson 
Edward Gibson 
Patrick Gill 
Abraham De Groot 
Joseph Golding 
Robert De Grushe 
Wm. II. De Grushe 

H 
Francis Hall 
Joseph Horn 
Andrew G. Hopper 
Garret Van Horn, jr. 
Robert Hewitt 
Jacob Halsey 
John Hewett 
Edward Hall, jun. 
Matthew Huston 
Francis Iliggins 
M. Hogenhamp 
Jacob M. Hetrield 
James Harrison 
John Hi il 
James Hill 
Levi Hart 
Hugh O'Hare 



John S. Henning 
Israel Hoyt 
Peter Hull 
William Hyde 
George Heyl 
John Harbison 
Leonard Hopkins 
Henry Medley 
Asa Hall 

George Hutchison 
Alexander Hunter 
John Hunt 
Thomas Hall 
Adam Hyler 
Moses He re van 
Samuel Hopkins 
John Hunt 
John II a nee 
James Hebrun 
Henry K. Helmbold 
Isaac Harbison 
Silas Hopping 
Samuel C. Hyslop 
James Howel 
Joshua Heustes 
Cornel iu's Hunt 
Jesse Hatfield 
C. M. Hempstead 
Jesse Hovt 
Richard Hutton 
Gilbert Hatheway 
William Humphrey 
James Hannah 
Thomas Hanlen 



SUBSCRIBE 

Daniel Huestis 
Davis Hunt 
David D. Hinds 
John Harpes 
Moses Hill 
I 
John Insley 
William Insley 
Charles W. Ivers 
Isaac Johnson, jun. 
John Jacobs 
M. P. Jackson 
Henry Johnson 
Robert Johnson 
John Jay 
David Jackson 
Samuel James 
William Jacocks 
Daniel Johnson 
Abraham Jaques 
Daniel Jones 
Jeremiah Jinkins jun. 

K 
Alexander M'Kibbin 
William Kelly 
Jeremiah Keinted 
Patrick Karriey 
William Kelley 
Eli Knapp 
Frederick Keeler 
Tunis B. Khiffeh 
Charles Kingsland 
Albeit Kennard 
Jonathan Knapp 



R'S NAMES. 

Thos. Kieran 
John Kinsey 
I. Kerr 

Philip S. F. Kemper 
James Kennedy 
William Ketch 
William Keddall 
Joseph Kelly 

John F. Lewis 
James Lane 
Lawrence Laven 
Isaac C. Lely 
Linus Leonard 
Charles Larey 
J W.G.R. Leach 
W. B. S. Lupton, jr. 
David Loughlen 
Phinehas Lockwood 
Thomas Lozier 
Herbert Lawrence 
Peter Laing 
Peter Laing, jun. 
Thomas Lyons 
John Lunnegan 
John Lely 
j George Litteli 
j Douglass Lewis 
Benjamin Lawrence 
John Luther 
i John I. Lord 
Thos. A. Leg-get! 
John Latour 
Samuel Ludlow- 



SUBSCRIBI 
John F. Lloyd 
Matthew Luf berry 
Abraham Lawrence 
John Limberger 
Thomas Lyons 

M 
John Miller 
Gershom D. Miller 
Ephraim Miller 
Patrick Marren 
Thomas Moony 
James MOabe 
John Marsh 
Robert Macdcrmet 
Louis Menger 
Thomas Meinell 
Medan Martin 
John Miller 
Edward Mount 
Mary M Colly 
Jesse M'Clouchen 
James Mills 
Catharine Miskally 
James Morris 
Henri Mikmak 
John M'Ewan 
James Moore 
Henry Miller 
David Morris 
William Miller 
Michael Moore 
Wesley Moriarty 
John Michaels 
Rufus Moffit 



:r'S names. 

John Meakens 
Anthony Morander 
Eli Miller 
James MTsaac 
Alexander M'Farlin 
John M'Grath 
John M'Anaspie 
Calven Mores 
John Monneypenny 
John Marsh 
William Marshall 
Bernard M'Cormick 
John J). L. Montanye 
Colin M'Arther 
Jacob Morrison 
Alex. M'Kenzie 
Wm.W. Mathews 
John Moor 
Malcolm M'Neil 
James M'Donogh 
Alexander M'Donald 
John M'S weeny 
Ira Munson 
Samuel Martin 
Daniel Martin 
James Morrow 
Moses Marsh 
Richard Morrell 
Robert M'Ardle 
Henry Mead 
John B. Masten 
Alex. M'DougaH 
Lewis Martin 
John M'Clare 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES 



Abraham Morris 
Robert Morton 
James Murray 
James Murray 
John O. Marsh 
John M 'Donald 
James M'Crum 
Uriah M'Callum 
Daniel Murray 
John M'Mannus 
Henry Miller 
Robert Morrell 
Jas. Morrell 
John W. Morreli 

N 
William B. Norris 
Robert Nisbet 
David V. Nostrand 
John Nippier 
Thomas Neal 
James Nation 
Francis Noble 
Joseph Nail 
Archabald Noble 
John Neafie 
George Nicoll 

O 
William Osborn 
Wm. Oliver 
B. Oblenis 
William Osborn 
John M. Ogden 
Lewis Osborn 
Clot worthy Oneil 



John Osborn 
Thomas Oman 
Joseph Ogden 
James O'Conner 
John Oliver 
Barnet O 'Conner 
Henry Orr 
Benjamin Oliver 

P 
Augustus Patterson 
James Patlen 
Henry Palmer 
Robert Palmer 
George Preston 
Merselus Pryer 
James Paterson 
Gershum Piercey 
Michael Patterson 
John Primrose 
Moses Pingree 
James Proudfoot 
Samuel F. Palmer 
Jonathan Pierson 
David Perine 
Wm. Parscyl 
Henry Peck 
Abijah Pear sail 
John Payne 
Robert Patterson 
James Pearson 
James Peterson 
Lemuel Pittman 
Peter Pinckney 
Peter Powell 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



David Pierson 
Edward Parker 
Wm. Peek 
Robt. Pitcaithly 
Henry Peers 
Joseph Page 
Smith Pettit 
Andrew Patten 
John Pitt 

R 
Jacob Ruckel 
Simeon Romaine 
John Rice 
Thomas Ranlen 
W'illiam Rague 
John H. Rolston 
Isaac Roberson 
James G. Reynolds 
Thomas Russell 
John Retan 
Hopkins Robertson 
Charles Rayals 
Piatt Raycnd 
Mitchel Ryder 
Jonathan Robison 
James Rathwell 
Wm, Reynolds 
Robert Rice 
William Ryan 
Thomas Richarson 
Thomas Roekhills 
John Ryker 
John Romaine 
John Rooke 



Richard Revere 
Abraham Ryker 
Richardson Ryan 
Denis Riorden 
Samuel RafclirF 
Richard Roberts 
Charles Reade 

S 
Samson Stone 
John Stewart 
Aaron Serjeant 
Lewis Sherer 
Henry Stoutenburgh 
John Shultes 
W alter Smart 
William Sexton 
William Stewart 
Andrew Sherwood 
James Skirk 
Mary Ann South wick 
B. Skaats 
Marshal! Smith 
Andrew Surre 
Nicholas Scharman 
Isaac Sherwood 
John W. Smith 
H. Street 
Archd. Smith 
James Shotwer 
Ralph ShrigJey 
John bigison 
Garret Smith 
John Struck 
Patrick Smith 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



G. Shaffer 
R. Sprowll 
Morris Selah 
Edward Shell 
Robert S. Sneden 
John Stewart 
Frederick R.Shiers 
Jacob Sim on son 
John Skidmore 
Jon a. Shay 
Charles Smith 
Nathl. Smith 
David Schoonmaker 
John I. Slingeriand 
I.^aac Storms 
S. Sainsimon 
David Stidger 
F. Shanewolfe 
John Simpson 
Mortines Swaim 
Zo pher Sam is 
William Simmons 
Benjamin M. Smyth 
John Smith 
James Sergeant 
Flenry Sperrv 
Gilbert Seaman 
Barnet Simonson 
James Stackhouse 
Henry Striker 
Henry Spicer 
Elizabeth Smith 
Peter Strong 
Peter Smith 



Alexander Stewart 
David Sherwood 
B. Sands 

Wm. Standerwick 
W. L.Simers, M. D. 
Charles Stonehouse 
James Seaman 
L. Strimbock 
George Seaman 
David See 
Barnet B. Speer 
Wm. Sinclair 
John Smith 
Frederick Storm 
Hugh A. Shields 
Alexander Stuart 
Cornelius Stagg 
G.W.Sickels 
James Sheffield 

T 
Edward Tapp 
Daniel Turnier 
Smith Thomas 
William A. Tennery 
Albert P. Terhune 
John Tausias 
Tobias Teller 
William Thompson 
Jacob Tyler, junr, 
John Tierce 
James Turnere 
Isaac Thorn 
Francis Tully 
John Tughes 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



Jared Thompson 
Thomas looker 
Thomas Timpson 
Absalom B. Timms 
John Thomas 
James Trafford 
John Ten-Brook 
Garrit Thompson 
William Trucker 
John Tuttle 
ElishaThoall 
Adam Thomson 
Christian Truse 
William Troutwine 
Allen Taylor 
Benjamin Townsend 
Sam del Thompson 
James Thompson 
Joseph Taylor 
Joseph M. Thames 

V 
Abraham Vincent 
J. Vredenburgh 
Thomas Vaughan 
John Vandewater 
Richard Van Voorhis 
Herman Vorsburgh 
Leonard Videto 
John Voorhies 
Abm. Vanderbeck 
Staats Vanaulen 
Leah Varick 
Jesse Van Clief 
W. A. Van Deursen 
Peter Vandervort 



W 

J.L.Wells 

Peter Wright 
Peter Wear 
E. L. Whitlock 
David Wilson 
Aaron Williams 
Alex. Williamson 
Jacob Wheeler 
Patrick Waiters 
Timothy S. Wheeler 
James Warner 
Dennis Ward 
Joseph Watson 
Joseph Whitson 
Robert Wheeler 
Cornelius Williams 
James Wallace 
Jonathan Watkins 
James Willock 
Martin L. Wiilsea 
Charles West 
Hugh Wishart 
Benjamin Wright 
Marshall Washburn 
Avery Whipple 
Jas. Whitherspoom 
Timothy Wood 
John Westerfield 
Peter Waldrom 
Joseph Watts 
Wm. Pelham Wood 
George White 
Arthur Webb 
James Westerfield 



SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 



William Wood 
John Weber 
Jonathan Winans 
John Woolsey 
Lewis Weeks 
Wm. Woolsey 
Alex. Wilkinson 
Jonas Wilson 
Thomas Wilson 
John Wiggens 
William Wallas 
Elijah Whipple, jun. 
John Wilcox 
George I. Welsh 
John Whitaker 



Lewis Wing 
Amb. Weeks 
Wm. Wilson 
Walter Wight 
Mathew Wallace 
William Wragg 
Samuel Winans 
Joseph Watkens 
Peter Whalen 
Siliick Waterbury 

Y 
Paoli Young 
Adam Young 
Charles Youngs 



The following names came too late to be in- 
serted in their proper places. 

A 
Jacob B. Angus 

B 
James Burgess 
William Baley 

D 
James C. Dyer 

G 
AlfredW.DeGrushe 
Jane De Grushe 
Fanny De Grushe 

H 
John Hendricks jun. 
Stephen Hyde 



Guilliam Johnson 

M 
Donald M'Donald 
Cornelius M'Kelriev 

N 
Charles O'Neil 

S 
John Sheffield 

T 
William Thomson 
Robert Tompkins 
John Thomas 

V 
John Vanderbeck 



























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